Tension gripped the village of Mirabag after local residents gathered at a construction site to forcefully halt ongoing work on a controversial bandhara project. The sudden mobilization of protesting villagers brought all construction activities to a standstill, significantly escalating tensions in the area. In response to the growing unrest and to prevent any potential clashes, a contingent of Curchorem Police was quickly deployed to the scene to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
The protest is part of a sustained grassroots agitation against the Water Resources Department’s (WRD) proposed 50 MLD bandhara across the Zuari River. Estimated to cost around ₹280 crore, the project aims to store water for irrigation and drinking purposes for onward supply to nearby villages. However, locals from Mirabag and surrounding areas have strongly objected, expressing deep fears that the dam construction will lead to the submergence of fertile agricultural land, coconut groves, their homes, and the local Sangameshwar temple. Villagers also raised concerns about potential saline water intrusion and the disruption of the river’s natural flow.
Following the disruption of the construction work, local authorities were forced to intervene to address the escalating conflict. Sanguem Deputy Collector Milindra Velip convened a special meeting with village representatives and instructed WRD engineers to halt any further steps until the villagers’ apprehensions are fully addressed through a formal presentation. As public opposition gathered momentum, drawing support from local panchayat members and neighboring communities, the Curchorem police maintained a heavy presence at the site while heavy machinery was reportedly removed to de-escalate the situation.
