PANAJI
The razing of numerous structures including ancient temples, and the rehabilitation of displaced families has been time and again discussed in the Legislative Assembly. In fact, the issue has been deliberated on more than eight occasions as the opposition benches have raised apprehensions, on behalf of the residents, concerning their structures.
In the recent monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly, the legislators not only tabled starred questions but also Calling Attention.
MLAs Vijai Sardesai and Carlos Ferreira, during a starred question, questioned the government over demolition/ displacement of the Sateri and Mahadev temples in Bhoma. These temples hold the status of “Swayambhu” and face the threat of being affected by the expansion of the National Highway while also inquiring if local residents’ requests to explore alternative routes or alignments that would bypass the village are being looked into.
In response, the government asserted that neither of the two temples, which lie beyond the acquisition line, would be demolished. “The alignment of NH-4A (NH-748) from km. 84/00 (Anmod Ghat) to km. 153/00 (Panaji) is approved by the Ministry and passes along the existing National Highway in Bhoma Village as per the document dated 26/02/2016,” stated a written reply from the Minister for Public Works Department Nilesh Cabral.
The opposition benches Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Viresh Borkar, Venzy Viegas, and Altone D’Costa even jointly initiated a Calling Attention motion, where Cabral reiterated his assurance that only four legally established houses in Corlim and four in Bhoma would need to be demolished as a result of the highway expansion. The government promised to provide alternative land for the rehabilitation of all those affected by the project.
Cabral even clarified that some businesses and homes established along the road were encroachments, but their owners would also receive appropriate compensation for their losses. “Out of the 22 structures affected, only four are residential houses, and the rest are temporary kiosks. In Corlim village, 39 structures are affected, of which four are old residential houses, and the rest are temporary kiosks,” the minister has been quoted as saying on several occasions.
Earlier, Bhoma villagers had requested the State government to consider constructing a bypass road from an alternate route to spare the houses and temples. However, the minister has already stated that such a bypass was deemed unfeasible in practice.
