Panaji, Aug 27 (IANS): Amid hundreds of people from village Bhoma in Priol constituency are up in arms against the expansion of national highway to save temples and houses, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday (without taking name of village) said that there is need to come out of "crooked mentality" opposing the developmental projects in villages.

People of Bhoma are against the expansion of National Highway NH 4A, claiming around 100 houses will be demolished, along with temples if the project comes to reality.

Since last one year villagers of Bhoma have protested more than ten times and addressed many meetings, to which opposition political parties, including the Congress, Goa Forward and the Revolutionary Goans Party, have supported.

They have demanded that the Public Works Department should not disturb the village, instead should think of constructing a bypass.

Speaking to IANS, Bhoma villager Sanjay Naik, who is losing his house for the highway expansion, said that around 100 houses will have to be demolished for the distance of around 500 meters.

“Not only houses, but our temples in the village, which are very close to the existing road will be affected. We can’t allow the government to bulldoze our tradition and culture, where thousands of people gather during festivals and come to seek blessings of deities,” Naik said.

“Decade ago, we had objected to the move of the highway expansion from our village. Later the government had stopped the process. Year ago, suddenly we were asked to accept the settlements after the government acquired the land, that too without intimating us.