The protest stems from the ongoing construction of a new bridge at Bendwada, where villagers allege that no proper provision has been made for a connecting road to Tarimol, a ward with a population exceeding 400. Residents also accused the department concerned of failing to honour earlier assurances regarding the road alignment.
Villagers demanded the presence of bridge construction officials at the site. However, following communication that the officials would visit on Monday at 10.30 am, the gathering gradually dispersed, bringing relief to the police.
Residents had earlier halted construction work multiple times and secured verbal assurances from officials and Social Welfare Minister and local MLA Subhash Phal Dessai that their concerns would be addressed. With no visible progress and alleged deviation from agreed plans, villagers again stopped the work two days ago. GSIDC engineer Nilay Shenvi had initially agreed to visit the site and present a revised plan based on villagers’ requirements, prompting the large turnout.
Later, he conveyed that he would visit along with other officials on Monday morning and assured that work would remain suspended until the villagers are satisfied. However, construction activity towards the Sanguem side will continue.
The administration has proposed a 5-metre-wide service road to facilitate access for Tarimol residents. However, villagers objected to the ongoing method of laying concrete directly over soil, terming it substandard, and forced a halt to the work. They have made it clear that construction will not resume until a technically sound and mutually agreed plan is presented.
Councillors clash at site
SANGUEM: The situation also witnessed a verbal spat between Curchorem-Cacora councillors Queiroz Cruz and Meshu D’Costa. Cruz maintained that he had secured assurances from officials and the local MLA that the road would be constructed as per the villagers’ demands, and cautioned against interference from representatives of other wards.
D’Costa, however, defended his presence, stating that he attended the site at the request of Tarimol residents. He criticised the ongoing work, particularly the practice of laying concrete over soil, and asserted that he has consistently supported the villagers whenever called upon. Councillor Rumaldo Fernandes also voiced his support, explaining the shortcomings in the existing mud road leading to Tarimol and backing the villagers’ demand for a proper access route.
