Locals allege project is being forced without consent
The torch rally marked the twelfth day of the villagers’ ongoing protest against the bhandara across the Zuari River at Mirabag.
Sanguem
Villagers from Mirabag–Sanvordem, along with supporters from Curchorem, Sanguem and nearby areas, held a torch rally today to strongly oppose the proposed bhandara at Mirabag. They said the project is being pushed without their consent or approval. Protesters claimed that the government is moving ahead despite strong resistance from the local community.
The rally began with a short prayer at the Shri Purushmaru Devasthan in Curchorem. It then passed through the main streets of Curchorem and ended at the Mirabag Bridge. Hundreds of villagers from Sanvordem, Curchorem and Sanguem joined the procession. They carried torches and raised slogans against the proposed construction.
The torch rally marked the twelfth day of the villagers’ ongoing protest against the proposed bhandara across the Zuari River at Mirabag. Protesters said they intensified their agitation because the government has not responded to their demand to cancel the project.
Speaking at the gathering, Sanket Bhandari, State Congress President Amit Patkar and others criticised the BJP-led government for ignoring the concerns of the villagers. They said repeated appeals to scrap the project have been overlooked. According to them, the bhandara could damage agricultural plantations, endanger houses along the riverbanks and even lead to flooding of a village temple once built.
The speakers also alleged that the project is being forced on the village even though it is neither necessary nor requested by the local people. Patkar said that many people across Goa are now taking to the streets because of government policies. He added that authorities often respond only when citizens protest.
Villagers from Mirabag maintained that the proposed bhandara would not benefit the community. Instead, they fear it could cause serious economic losses. Farmers’ livelihoods may suffer, and several houses near the river could be put at risk if the project goes ahead.
