Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: In a move to protect a 200-year-old heritage banyan tree at Vadakade, Porvorim, a delegation of locals and activists met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday evening.
Accompanied by Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy, Shripad Naik, the group urged Gadkari to reconsider plans to translocate the tree for a six-lane elevated corridor project.
The tree holds significant cultural and religious value, and its proposed removal has sparked public opposition.
Activist Dipesh Naik, part of the delegation, expressed optimism after the brief yet positive meeting.
“Minister Gadkari assured us he would explore ways to preserve the tree and directed engineers to evaluate alternatives. We are hopeful for a favorable outcome,” Naik said.
The delegation also submitted a memorandum highlighting the tree’s importance and requesting alternative solutions to safeguard this symbol of heritage and ecological balance.
