PANAJI
The Supreme Court has directed the High Court of Bombay at Goa to expedite the hearing of a legal challenge to the land acquisition and construction process for the proposed High Level New Borim Bridge and decide the matter by October 13, 2026, or earlier if possible.
The direction came after the Goa government approached the apex court through a Special Leave Petition challenging an interim stay granted by the High Court in July on the land acquisition process for the proposed bridge and its approach roads.
The High Court had stayed the operation and implementation of the final land acquisition declaration issued under Section 3-D of the National Highways Act on October 11, 2024. The matter was scheduled for final hearing on October 12, 2026.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam, while updating on the development, said the Supreme Court had directed the High Court to expedite the hearing and conclude the matter before October 13. He said the case could also be heard as early as October 5, if required.
The interim order was passed on a petition filed by Salvador Alves and 39 others, including landowners, occupants and agricultural tenants from Loutolim and Borim. The HC had restrained authorities from taking physical possession of the acquired land, dispossessing landowners, commencing construction or awarding construction contracts to third parties based on the stayed declaration.
The petitioners had raised concerns over compliance with mandatory environmental and forest clearance requirements for the project. The HC found that the petition raised a prima facie case regarding the statutory clearances and accordingly granted interim protection. The HC had, however, allowed the authorities to seek modification or vacation of the stay after obtaining the requisite statutory clearances.
