Residents of Chinchinim-Deussua in South Goa have sounded the alarm over what they term serious irregularities in the ongoing National Highway 66 (NH 66) expansion project. Simultaneously, they have forcefully renewed their decade-long demand for the construction of the Dandeavaddo bypass, which they see as the only effective and lasting remedy for the region's chronic traffic congestion.
Allegations of Questionable Land Acquisition Practices
The local community has raised a red flag regarding the acquisition of land for the highway project. They allege that despite clear assurances from authorities that no further land would be taken, fresh acquisition is now being pursued under dubious circumstances. Residents point to the suspicious placement of new boundary stones, while older markers are either selectively kept or removed entirely.
Officials have reportedly explained this activity as part of a process to "verify acquisition markings." However, this justification has done little to quell the growing distrust and suspicion among the families whose properties are directly impacted. The situation has created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty.
Alignment Shift Sparks Outcry Over Ancestral Homes
A particularly contentious issue for the locals is an apparent shift in the highway's proposed alignment. Residents claim the new plan seems to deliberately protect illegal settlements while putting ancestral homes that have stood for decades in the path of demolition. This perceived bias has fueled significant anger and a sense of injustice.
Nelson Lopes, a vocal resident, highlighted another critical concern. "The most worrisome point is the freezing of land 45 meters on either side of the acquisition," he stated. This move severely restricts the use and development of a much larger swath of land than originally communicated to the villagers.
It is important to note that the original land acquisition, spanning 30 meters, was explicitly intended for a two-lane highway and was already finalized. The current expansion and the accompanying 45-meter freeze represent a significant and unsettling escalation for the community.
Decade-Old Bypass Demand Takes Center Stage Again
Amid these fresh controversies, the long-pending demand for the Dandeavaddo bypass has regained urgent prominence. Residents argue that this bypass is the only viable and sustainable solution to decongest the area, divert through-traffic, and address the root cause of their woes, rather than continually expanding the existing highway through populated areas.
These collective concerns were presented formally and emphatically by village panchayat leaders during a recent representation. They met with the chief engineer at the regional office of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in Belapur, Maharashtra. The delegation articulated both the alleged irregularities in the NH 66 work and the critical need to finally approve the Dandeavaddo bypass project.
The standoff highlights the ongoing tension between large-scale national infrastructure development and the rights and concerns of local communities. The residents of Chinchinim-Deussua are now waiting to see if their appeals will lead to a transparent review of the acquisition process and a serious reconsideration of the bypass proposal they have championed for over ten years.
