Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: A wave of protests erupted on Thursday as locals from Zuarinagar and Velsao, including shopkeepers, confronted the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for abruptly closing a 60-year-old Major District Road (MDR) at Queeny Nagar junction. The closure, which has disrupted traffic and local businesses, is being linked to ongoing works along NH17, leading to rising tensions in the area.
The situation escalated after NHAI contractors failed to provide clear answers to concerned locals regarding the sudden closure. Many allege that the move is part of a hidden agenda to provide easier access to a soon-to-be-inaugurated high-end D-Mart mall, which could harm the livelihoods of local business owners.
Local social worker Roquezinho D’Souza, after meeting with Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, submitted a memorandum to the NHAI office at Sada and demanded a site inspection by the NHAI project director.
D’Souza, speaking to the media, expressed shock over the situation.
“We are shocked to realize that the contractor has informed us that the stretch of the MDR road could be closed permanently. The NHAI has already put up signs stating that the road is closed, and we decided to confront them on this issue. This is a very busy road with a huge residential colony and many shops in the basement. How will these people get access, and how will the shopkeepers survive?” D’Souza asked.
He further emphasized the injustice faced by long-standing local businesses.
“These are shopkeepers who have been operating legally for the last 20 years, paying all their taxes. They cannot be deprived of their livelihood all of a sudden without any intimation,” D’Souza said.
Locals suspect that the closure is linked to the construction of the D-Mart mall, which is expected to open soon.
“The closure of the existing road and the diversion of the highway towards the D-Mart structure will only deprive the local businesses that have been here for years,” D’Souza explained.
During an inspection, D’Souza noted that the NHAI did not have a proper plan in place.
“We asked the NHAI director and contractor to demarcate the work before starting, but they didn’t have a proper plan. The MDR road is under the jurisdiction of the PWD, and NHAI should have taken their permission, which they haven’t. There was no notification regarding the closure, nor were local panchayats informed and they did not even inform the MLA Anton Vas raising suspicions on the nature and purpose of the works,” he said, raising concerns about transparency.
Adding to the grievances, D’Souza revealed that the NHAI’s work had also caused damage to a water pipeline, leaving the area without water for two days.
“The people have been without water because of irresponsible work by the NHAI,” D’Souza pointed out.
He also highlighted the potential danger posed by the closure.
“The MDR road has been dug up and closed down with huge boulders lying unattended. Several vehicles moving to flats and hotels are in danger. Who will be responsible for any accidents? How are people supposed to access their homes or shops with this sudden closure?” D’Souza asked.
Criticizing the lack of planning, D’Souza said the NHAI’s solution to redirect traffic was illogical.
“The NHAI is telling us to move along the highway and re-enter the MDR road from a further stretch near the D-Mart site. Why divert traffic from the longer highway route and bring it back to the same MDR road? The road was already serving the local population and connecting them to essential services like the market and petrol pump,” he argued.
Concluding his remarks, D’Souza warned that locals would not allow the works to continue unless proper permissions and notifications were provided.
“We’ve stopped the works as of now, and if the NHAI doesn’t provide proper details, we won’t allow them to proceed. This entire plan seems to support D-Mart, and we cannot let that happen at the cost of local livelihoods,” he said.
Meanwhile, calls made to the NHAI for their comments on the issue were not attended and the officials were not available for their comments
Trending
- India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 3: IND 57/0 at Tea Break, Trail by 299 Runs
- PM Modi’s 2nd Visit To Russia This Year, To Attend BRICS Summit Next Week
- Baba Siddiques ‘2+1’ Security Team To Be Questioned By Crime Branch
- In Big Relief For Sadhguru, Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against Isha Foundation In Madras High Court
- Follow guidelines & verify crew members: Police to Cruise operators
- Scrap Nauxim marina project immediately: MLA Viresh
- Chennai-based NCSCM scientists begins shoreline study in Goa
- BCCI Delivers Bitter Rishabh Pant Blow To India On Day 3 Of Bengaluru Test