Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jul 14: The Goa government has moved ahead with its proposed high-level Borim bridge across the Zuari river by initiating the compensation process for land acquired for the project, despite continued opposition from farmers in Loutolim.
The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) of the Public Works Department has issued notices to farmers, tenants and landowners for the disbursement of compensation for land acquired for the project.
The notices have been issued under Section 3E of the National Highways Act, 1956, nearly a year after the Competent Authority announced the compensation award under Section 3G through an order dated Jul 28, 2025.
According to the notices, compensation will be paid to persons recorded as occupants, co-occupants, tenants or co-tenants of the acquired land or structures based on entries in Form I and XIV of the respective survey records.
Beneficiaries have been asked to submit title and ownership documents, bank mandate forms and details of their share or entitlement to facilitate the release of compensation.
The notices also direct landowners and occupants to surrender possession of the acquired land within 60 days of receiving the notice. If they fail to do so, the competent authority will take possession through the Collector of South Goa district in accordance with the provisions of the National Highways Act.
The land acquisition process for the construction of the new high-level Borim bridge, its approach roads and a 5.73-km bypass on National Highway-566 was initiated in 2023 under Section 3A of the National Highways Act.
The project requires the acquisition of around 340,253 square metres of land across the villages of Bandora, Borim and Quela in Ponda taluka, and Loutolim in Salcete taluka.
The compensation award under Section 3G was issued on Jul 28, 2025. Subsequently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the land-acquiring agency for the project, placed the required compensation amount at the disposal of CALA under the Goa Public Works Department, enabling the compensation process to begin.
The latest development indicates that the state government is proceeding with the infrastructure project despite strong objections from farmers in Loutolim, who have consistently opposed the acquisition of fertile khazan fields for the proposed bridge alignment.