The acquisition was never intended for six lanes, let alone a six-lane flyover. The Chief Minister’s attempt to use Comunidade land as an excuse has now backfired, with the Comunidade agreeing to the request. The bluff has been laid bare. There is no substantive reason to oppose the Dandeavado bypass apart from the existence of previously acquired land. That cannot be used to deny the villagers’ long-standing demand. At the meeting, the Chief Minister said only the State government can provide land and accused the NHAI of making audacious demands. Yet, at the State government’s request, the NHAI has already conducted an official survey for the bypass. If a feasible route has been surveyed, why is the government still delaying the project? The cost cannot be portrayed as an insurmountable national burden. The then Cuncolim MLA had secured a road diversion, but the required land remains unacquired, showing how delays hold up development. Meanwhile, the accident-prone stretch beyond Cuncolim, notorious for fatal crashes, urgently needs completion but appears to lack the required urgency.
If land can be acquired under emergency provisions, legal or procedural hurdles cannot make the Dandeavado bypass impossible. More importantly, the Chinchinim route faces no Communidade objection. The Communidade has instead offered commendable voluntary cooperation. Land, therefore, cannot convincingly be cited as the reason for delay. The State government is duty-bound to facilitate the NHAI-surveyed route and provide the required land. The financial burden of a national highway project rests with the NHAI. The State cannot pass the buck to a Central ministry and wash its hands of the matter. The growing perception is that the government is reluctant to act because Dandeavado lies in a constituency not politically aligned with the BJP. Its actions and omissions inevitably raise the question. The government must stop playing “dog in the manger” — neither building the bypass nor allowing an alternative to proceed. More disturbing is the ruling MLA’s reported admission that he has not received the necessary details. If an elected representative is kept in the dark, what does that say about transparency? Dandeavaddo has waited long enough. Villagers deserve facts, fairness and a firm decision — not excuses or political gamesmanship. Heed the voice of sanity. Respect the villagers. Build the bypass.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
