SURAJ NANDREKAR
MIRABAG: Mirabag villagers have warned of intensifying their agitation against the proposed bandharo project after the Water Resources Department failed to honour its assurance to fill dangerous pits in the area by Monday. Residents say the continued inaction has deepened anger in the village, with locals now threatening to escalate protests if their demands are not met immediately.
The villagers had earlier staged a protest and later marched to the WRD office at Pajimol, where officials assured them in writing that work to fill the pits would begin from Monday. However, several days after the deadline, residents claim that no work has started and no officials have visited the site.
Local activist Upendra Naik said villagers had approached the WRD office in large numbers last Friday to demand immediate action, particularly to address the open pits dug in the area.
“We took out a morcha to the WRD office and demanded that the illegal pits be filled immediately. These pits are dangerous and anyone could fall into them. They also stretch across a large area and can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which could lead to diseases like dengue,” he said.
Naik said WRD officials had assured villagers that the pits would be filled on an urgent basis and that work would begin from Monday onwards. The assurance was also given in writing, he added.
“Officials told us that work would start from Monday and the pits would be filled. But even after three days, there has been no movement. No officer has come to the site, and no work has begun,” he said.
Villagers also alleged that their attempts to contact WRD officials have gone unanswered.
“We tried calling the officers, but no one answered our calls. We were given a written assurance, but nothing has happened so far,” Naik said.
Apart from the pits issue, villagers also raised concerns over alleged illegal pipeline work carried out along the Custamrabag road without proper permissions. According to residents, pipelines were laid by digging up the road without approval from the panchayat or other competent authorities.
“They dug up the road and laid pipelines without any permission. The road was damaged and later patched up badly. Soil and debris were left behind, causing inconvenience and pollution for residents,” Naik said.
Villagers said they have demanded that the road be properly restored with hot-mix surfacing instead of temporary repairs.
With no response from authorities so far, residents have warned that they will soon intensify their agitation.
“We waited because the government gave us an assurance. But if our demands are not fulfilled, we will take the next step,” Naik said.
He said villagers are planning a protest march to the WRD office in Margao if the issue remains unresolved. Residents are also considering staging a protest outside the residence of the concerned minister if necessary.
“If the government does not act, we will protest in front of the WRD office and even outside the minister’s house. We have already given them time, but now we cannot wait indefinitely,” he said.
Naik said the agitation has the support of several villages across three constituencies, with residents united in their opposition to the project.
He also pointed out that the ongoing protest has already disrupted traditional village activities, including Shigmo festivities, as many villagers have been forced to remain at the protest site instead of participating in customary celebrations.
“Our village has traditions during this time of the year, where people visit homes and temples together. But this year, many villagers, especially women, stayed back because of the protest. Even our traditions have been affected,” he said.
Villagers maintained that their protest has remained peaceful so far, but warned that patience is running out.
“We protested peacefully and did not disturb anyone. But if the government continues to ignore us, we will have no choice but to intensify our agitation,” Naik said.
Residents said they are determined to continue their protest until the pits are filled and their concerns about the Bandharo project are addressed.
