NGT reserves order in Borim farmers plea against Loutolim -Borim bridge
The National Green Tribunal's (NGT)Western Zone Bench has reserved their order in the petition filed by the farmers of Borim challenging the construction of the Loutolim-Borim bridge. At the hearing, the petitioners argued for a stay while the State Government sought more time to submit their say in the matter.During the hearing, when the respondents, which included the Central government, asked for more time, the petitioners pointed out that they have been given time to respond since May 31, 2024. The petitioners also asked for interim relief and further cited a Supreme Court Judgement that is relevant to this case. The Government however tried to refute the same. The NGT bench said it will take these points into consideration.
It may be noted that the farmer and villagers of Loutolim-Borim have been opposing the acquisition and using of the Eco sensitive Khazan lands of both the villages for the construction of the bridge. The NGT bench had issued notices to the State and Central government in connection with a petition filed by residents of Borim village in Ponda and Loutolim village in Salcéte.
The bench had in June 2024 issued notices to the respondents, which include the Goa government, Public Works Department (PWD), and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), seeking their responses. The villagers had even petitioned the MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking relief which he said he would look into. However, recently the State government issued a public notice regarding the acquisition of the land for the bridge which has angered the people.