SINQUETIM LOCALS UP IN ARMS AGAINST PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE

Agitation is simmering in Sinquetim with villagers vowing to oppose the proposed construction of a bridge linking Benaulim to Sinquetim on the grounds that the bridge is "unnecessary and is being thrust upon the villagers".
Scores of villagers assembled at the site to denounce attempts by the government to commence the construction of the bridge, the foundation stone for which was laid in March 2008. The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 9 crore.
What apparently spurred the villagers to protest was the movement of lorries carrying construction material towards the site . Villagers had then confronted the personnel involved in the activities and subsequently driven them away. They are irked over the moves of the authorities in going ahead with the land acquisition proceedings for the project despite the village gram sabha adopting a resolution placing on record its objection towards the bridge.
Addressing the media , The villagers expressed their determination to thwart any attempts to build the bridge that would entail "destruction of the fragile environment that will subsequently be fraught with danger to the lives of the villagers". Avertano Furtado, speaking to reporters, questioned the necessity of the 12m span bridge when another was proposed to be built hardly a few metres away. "Besides destroying the mangroves in the area and causing loss to fertile agricultural land, there will be an increased movement of heavy vehicular traffic over the bridge, leading to sound and dust pollution, thus disturbing the tranquillity of the village," Furtado said.
Advocate Anacleto Veigas, while addressing reporters, questioned the legality of the land acquisition process, stating that the villagers were kept in the dark over the matter. The villagers have now decided to hold a silent protest morcha to the South Goa collectorate soon to express their opposition to the proposed project.