Goa Villagers Vow to Continue Protest Despite WRD's Public Hearing Pledge
In a significant development, the Water Resources Department (WRD) in Goa has formally committed to conducting a PowerPoint presentation on the contentious Mirabag (Sanvordem) bandhara project for villagers by February 28. This move comes as part of an effort to address public concerns, with the department also inviting suggestions and objections from residents. However, protesters have firmly rejected this gesture, vowing to persist with their agitation until the project is entirely scrapped.
Official Assurances and Public Skepticism
In a letter dated February 13, the executive engineer of Works Division XII communicated to the deputy collector of Sanguem that the public hearing and presentation would be held before the February 28 deadline, as directed by Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar. The letter provided explicit assurances that no construction activities would commence at the Mirabag barrage site, and no pipeline laying would occur prior to the public hearing. Deputy Collector Milindra Velip subsequently urged protesters to call off their agitation based on these WRD assurances.
Despite these official promises, villagers have maintained an uncompromising stance. Sanket Bhandari, representing the villagers, stated, "Based on the letter from the WRD, the deputy collector requested us to call off our protest. But the villagers are firm on their stance—they will continue with the agitation until the project is scrapped." Bhandari highlighted serious concerns about discrepancies in the official communication, pointing to what he described as evidence of irregularities in the project.
Alleged Irregularities and Community Concerns
Bhandari raised a critical issue regarding the project's specifications, questioning, "We noticed another discrepancy in the letter, which confirms the apprehensions of the villagers that the project is a fraud on the people of Mirabag. When the tenders were issued for a 50 MLD barrage, the letter speaks of 60 MLD. Who authorised this 10 MLD increase and when?" This discrepancy has fueled suspicions among residents about the transparency and legitimacy of the project.
He further emphasized the community's unwavering resolve, adding, "There will be no let-up in our protest. Barrage or pumping station—we want nothing built on the river that would pose a threat to our homes." The protest, which entered its fifth day on Saturday, has seen overwhelming participation from people of Mirabag and surrounding villages, reflecting deep-seated opposition to the project.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Agitation
The situation underscores a growing tension between governmental infrastructure initiatives and local community interests in Goa. The WRD's commitment to a public hearing represents an attempt at dialogue, but protesters remain skeptical, driven by fears of environmental damage and threats to their homes. As the February 28 deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether the presentation will alleviate concerns or further escalate the conflict.
The protest's persistence highlights the villagers' determination to safeguard their interests, with no signs of backing down despite official assurances. This standoff serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing development projects with public consent and transparency in governance.
