PORVORIM: Placing a copy of O Heraldo Review report on ‘Loutolim Farmers at Crossroads’ on the floor of the House, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to see the extent of damage to khazans as showcased by reporter Karsten Miranda.
Replying to the starred question, Chief Minister Sawant reiterated that not a single house would be demolished during the construction of the new 5.7-km-long new Borim Bridge.
Responding to the Chief Minister, Sardesai remarked there was no question of any house being demolished when there are no houses. He pointed out that the entire issue was the destruction of khazan lands, which O Heraldo had highlighted.
He also said as in the case of the ‘Missing Link’ flyover from Loutolim to Verna, the khazan once destroyed cannot be restored.
Sardesai sought to know whether construction can be done through khazan land and questioned whether khazans would be destroyed.
He said that the question was not of the demolition of houses, but what was more important was to protect and preserve the khazan lands, as the farmers’ livelihoods depend on them.
Refuting the Opposition members’ charge that the new Borim Bridge was meant for coal transportation, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “It is not only for coal (transportation) but to facilitate the Verna pharmaceutical hub and cruise tourism from Mormugao Port to the hinterland. The bridge will be an industrial corridor given the presence of a large number of pharma companies in Verna.”
Replying to a starred question on the status of the new Borim Bridge, Sawant said that land acquisition process for new bridge project was underway and on completing it, construction work will be taken up after obtaining job sanction.
Sawant informed that a new Environment Impact Study (EIA) had been conducted by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the carrying capacity of Borim Bridge was assessed. The approval of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) was awaited, he said.
Loutolim farmers firm on protecting khazan lands
MARGAO: Welcoming the discussion in the Assembly about their concerns over the selected alignment and construction of the new Borim Bridge, Loutolim farmers remained steadfast in their stance that their khazan lands must be protected.
“At the onset, we are humbly grateful to Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao for raising our concern in the Assembly,” said Albert Pinheiro, Chairman of the Loutolim Tenants Association.
Pinheiro noted that Chief Minister (CM) Pramod Sawant’s commitment to meet with the farmers and resolve the issue is a positive step.
Pinheiro said, “Earlier, during the meeting with the Union Minister and our core group (of Loutolim farmers), he (Gadkari) also said that good compensation would be offered. But our core group said that we do not want any compensation but to spare our khazan fields from the construction of the line of the bridge.”
The farmers are placing their hopes on the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which is scheduled to hear their petition on Wednesday challenging the government’s actions in proceeding with the bridge construction without what the farmers claim are necessary permissions.