The faces of the farmers of Loutolim are etched with worry. For generations, their families had tended to the lush and unique khazan fields, which are not just their livelihood, but a part of their cultural and agricultural heritage.
The government’s plan for the new Borim high-level bridge threatens the future of our fields and everything we hold dear. They say it will bring progress, but at what cost?” The farmers point out how the proposed alignment would cut through their most productive fields. Years of carefully balanced ecosystems could be immediately destroyed, they predict, if construction is allowed.
Recent developments have brought this issue to the forefront. Following a meeting with Union Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari during the Minister’s visit to Goa earlier this month, a team of PWD engineers, the bridge consultant, and other government officials visited Loutolim the next day, to interact with the opposing farmers. Despite heavy rain, the farmers engaged in a long discussion with the officials, presenting their grievances and concerns.
The farmers emphasised the uniqueness of khazan lands, citing the CRZ notification that prohibits development in these areas. They argued that even a small encroachment for construction, be it for an approach road or stilts, would affect the entire khazan ecosystem, potentially impacting thousands of farmers livelihoods. To illustrate their point, they referenced the debris still stuck in Khazan land from a previous PWD project, the missing link road.
Albert Pinheiro, Chairman of Loutolim Tenants Association, expressed his gratitude to Union Minister Gadkari for arranging the meeting with PWD engineers and voiced optimism about finding a solution.
The farmers questioned the need for a new bridge, given that the Central government had already sanctioned funds to strengthen the existing bridge, which has a projected lifespan of 20 more years.
The farmers also raised concerns about discrepancies in the Regional Plan (RP) 2021, which they claim doesn’t accurately represent the khazan lands. This misrepresentation has led to confusion regarding the selected alignment’s impact on these crucial agricultural areas.
Pinheiro reiterated that the farmers are not willing to budge on parting away with a single portion of their khazan lands and said they have already submitted memorandums, written objections, held meetings and approached the court, to convey their grievances.
All eyes are on the July 24 National Green Tribunal (NGT) hearing, which could determine the fate of the proposed bridge over the Zuari river in Goa. The NGT’s Western Zone Bench had earlier issued notices to the State and Central governments regarding a petition filed by residents of Borim and Loutolim villages, offering hope to those opposing the project.
Petitioners allege a lack of proper environmental clearances and assessments, raising concerns about potential damage to agriculture, fishing activities, and ecologically sensitive areas including khazan lands and mangroves. They claim the project requires Environmental Clearance (EC) due to its size, contradicting government claims.
Abhijit Prabhudesai of Rainbow Warriors, supporting the farmers, argues that the project violates regulations prohibiting development in khazan lands and alleges that the PWD lacks the required permissions.
He contends that the true purpose of the new bridge is solely to facilitate coal transportation and suggests that repairing the existing bridge would be more appropriate and cost-effective.
Prabhudesai questions the government’s motives, pointing out the contradiction between its claims of wanting to create an Atma Nirbhar (self-reliant) State and its actions that threaten unique khazan fields. He criticizes the apparent lack of environmental knowledge amongst the authorities and the PWD’s alleged misrepresentation of khazan and CRZ areas in their plans.
Incidentally, the Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, who is also the local MLA, stressed about the requirement of the bridge. Sequeira had arranged the meeting with the farmers and the Minister and had also earlier arranged a meeting with the farmers and the PWD Chief Engineer.
While responding to queries from media persons outside the Assembly complex earlier this week, Sequeira gave updates over the latest developments.
He was asked about the recent inspection by the PWD engineers and any new decision was taken about the alignment.
“No, they (the PWD team) haven’t given an update yet because they said they would require about a fortnight to study and get back,” said Sequeira.
When asked if he was hopeful that a solution would be found, Sequeira replied saying, “Well I am hopeful that an ultimate decision will be taken and the issue is resolved once and for all.”
When asked further if he was hoping for a solution in the interest of the locals, Sequeira replied saying, “In the interest of India! Basically, you see the bridge is a major infrastructure project. I believe that we should be happy that the government of India has been proactive. I believe under Union (Highway) Minister Nitin Gadkari, this proposal is a good proposal. I am not talking about the alignment but I am talking about undertaking the construction of a new bridge”.
“Because normally, we have been constructing bridges many times, after the bridge had collapsed. So here, knowing that this bridge will not survive for many years, the Government of India has undertaken the task of initiating the process and constructing a bridge before we are faced with any calamity,” Sequeira added further.
When asked to comment about the objections that were being raised by the locals, Sequeira replied saying, “See there are three groups. Every group has their own opinion. Every group is affected in some way or the other. And that is why I am saying, let the engineers and the technical people take an appropriate call on what should be the appropriate alignment.”
Farmers from Loutolim have responded to the Environment Minister’s downplaying of their opposition to the project in the recent past.
They defended their stance, emphasizing their primary concern: saving the khazan fields, which the present alignment would impact. They questioned why the Minister focused on houses not being destroyed, rather than addressing their main issue.
Reacting to the Minister’s statement that only 1.2 lakh square meters of khazan fields would be acquired, not 4 lakhs, the farmers insisted that even 1.2 lakh square meters of land acquisition would affect the entire 4 lakh square meters of khazan lands.
They pointed out that the total land to be acquired in other areas exceeds 2 lakh square meters, necessitating an Environment Clearance (EC), which the PWD has claimed is not needed. They stressed that losing their khazan land would mean losing their livelihood, and compensation wouldn’t be adequate.
The farmers reiterated that they do not want to part with any portion of their khazan fields for the bridge, which will pass through the khazan.
“Our Minister says the khazan land to be acquired is about 1.2 lakh sqm. On average, there is about 2,000 sqm land per farmer, so about 30 farmers will lose their livelihood. We don’t have any other agricultural land to cultivate, so what will happen to us when it comes to compensation?” they asked.
They continued, “We questioned the PWD engineers on how long the compensation would be given since they would lose their fields forever. The consultants are saying that the road for carting material would be made in the acquired land, but farmers are not consenting to give away that 1 lakh square metre (sqm) or any part of their fields.”
The farmers emphasised the unique nature of the khazan land, explaining, “If 1,20,000 sqm of our khazan land is acquired and roads are made for carting material or laying stilts, the entire khazan will be permanently damaged. The whole system of khazan will collapse. The consultants failed to understand what a khazan is; they must first study how that khazan was made as it is a reclaimed agricultural area made after constructing a bundh.”
They described the delicate ecosystem of the khazan: “It is only about 2 feet of crust of clay on top which hardens in summer for three months. As soon as rain descends, it is soft clay again. After the 2 feet crust, it is all water. If the bridge is constructed, the khazan is lost forever. If any part of the khazan is acquired for the bridge, the satisfaction of organic cultivation is lost, as are our local fishermen who depend on fishing.”
The farmers added that during an inspection by the PWD, a lady showed engineers two ‘shevte’ fish from her pocket, demonstrating that her livelihood as both a farmer and a fisher was at stake.
Before the Assembly session, a delegation of farmers and villagers from Loutolim met with Goa Forward Party (GFP) Chief Vijai Sardesai to voice their concerns about the proposed alignment of the New Borim Bridge.
They feared the current plan would damage local khazan agricultural fields. Sardesai assured them he would oppose the current alignment and raise it in the Assembly session.
The farmers briefed Sardesai on the seven alignment options and the importance of preserving khazans for farming and fish cultivation.
“We explained that acquiring a 60-meter road in our small village is excessive given the current traffic flow. We shared how MLA and Minister Aleixo Sequeira insists on this width, claiming a 6-lane road is needed. Vijai countered that a much narrower road would suffice, arguing against such an ambitious project that would cause widespread destruction,” said the farmers.
Sardesai welcomed their views and agreed that safeguarding heritage khazans is crucial, and progress should involve the people’s confidence.
He criticized the government’s land acquisition process and questioned their contradictory approach, wanting to increase cultivation land while destroying unique khazan fields.
Sardesai recalled that as Agriculture Minister, he initiated bringing large khazan lands under cultivation due to their importance to Goa’s identity and the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen. He also claimed the government’s alignment choice was to facilitate smoother coal transportation, questioning the need for such a wide approach road.
He clarified that farmers do not oppose a new bridge but insist that local development should have the people’s consent. Sardesai cited how the PWD ignored Benaulim locals’ pleas for constructing the western bypass on stilts, leading to flooding in Benaulim and Fatorda, as water flows back into the fields instead of the sea.
The farmers also met with other opposition legislators, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Venzy Viegas, and South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, who had taken up their issue and met with Gadkari in Delhi last month.
In Loutolim, the situation remains unchanged since the Loutolim gram sabha passed a unanimous resolution against the bridge last year. Locals have protested for months, fearing the destruction of their livelihoods and eco-sensitive lands.
They demand either improving the stability of the present bridge or finding a different alignment that would spare their precious khazan fields.
The tribunal’s decision could significantly impact the agricultural and fishing communities, marking a crucial juncture in the dispute between local communities and authorities over the bridge project’s environmental impact and necessity.