Sawant also agrees to other demands of locals
Margao: The 49-day protest held by the residents of Mirabag in Sanvordem against the proposed Rs 280-crore bandhara project on Zuari River came to an end on Monday after the agitators called off the protest following an assurance from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the project would be scrapped.
Sawant also indicated that all other demands raised by the locals would be fulfilled.
Speaking to media in Margao after meeting the protesters, Sawant said, “I had earlier told the locals that we are not constructing the bandhara. Today, I reassured them that I will put a remark on the file (to scrap the project) and close the file.”
Youth activist and protester Upendra Naik said, “The Chief Minister has said today that he will put a remark on the file and the project will be scrapped. He also told us that we will be able to obtain documentary proof of the same through RTI within two to three days. In light of his assurance, we have concluded our 49-day protest. We thank the Chief Minister for hearing our concerns.”
Naik further said that the Chief Minister has also promised to fulfil the other demands of the protesters, which include restoring the two pits to their original condition and completing the Rs 4.5 crore road works from Mirabag to Kostomoll in Sanvordem. Naik said Sawant has also assured to withdraw the cases filed against the four locals for protesting in the state legislative assembly.
Masu D’Costa and several other locals expressed gratitude to the Opposition leaders and activists for their support during the protest, which was backed by people from the areas surrounding Mirabag and locals of multiple constituencies in the state.
The protesters were earlier pressing for a formal written confirmation from the government stating that the project had been permanently shelved.
Earlier in the day, police stopped the protesters at Mirabag as they attempted to march towards the Azad Maidan in Panaji. The group refused to disperse and continued the agitation on road following which the Chief Minister met them.
It may be noted that the Water Resources Department (WRD) had proposed the bandhara project on Zuari River at Mirabag with the aim of enhancing water supply during the summer months.
The locals alleged that the planned capacity was fluctuated from 30 MLD (million litres per day) to 50 MLD and then 60 MLD. They claimed that it was done to primarily benefit nearby industries rather than to meet the water requirements of seven affected villages in the Curchorem and Sanvordem constituencies. The locals also claimed that they were not taken into confidence and that the proposal was tainted by irregularities.
What began as opposition at the grassroots level gradually escalated into a full-fledged agitation, drawing support from activists, environmentalists, opposition political parties and eventually gaining attention across Goa.
The issue was also taken up in the state legislative assembly where four aggrieved residents showed their opposition. The matter triggered a debate in the House, with the Chief Minister reportedly losing his temper, and cases were subsequently filed against the four Mirabag residents for protesting in the assembly.
