Residents of Bhoma in Goa have opposed land conversions and plot subdivisions under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, adding to a long-running dispute over the proposed four-laning of the highway through the village.

A group of residents met Bhoma-Adcolna sarpanch Abdul Khan on Monday and asked the panchayat to formally register its opposition to the conversion of village land. They said widespread changes in land use could damage Bhoma’s landscape and alter the character of the small settlement.

The latest dispute follows years of opposition to the proposed highway widening. Residents have raised concerns that the project could result in the demolition of temples central to the village’s social and cultural life. They are also questioning whether land conversion and plot subdivision could change the area before the road project is implemented.

Villagers said they became aware of the conversions after seeing a notification concerning a request to change a parcel’s zoning from sloppy non-developmental land to settlement use. Resident Sanjay Naik said they had also learnt that 36 plots had been subdivided on village land. He alleged that some individuals had created plots on land acquired by the Public Works Department (PWD) and applied to have the parcels converted into a settlement zone.

The dispute places land-use decisions for settlement development alongside the acquisition of land for transport infrastructure. Residents argue that both processes could reduce land available to the existing village and weaken protection for its built, cultural and community landscape. Bhoma has a population of around 3,000 and lies on a road link between Ponda taluka and the state capital, giving the route importance beyond the settlement.

Industrial expansion nearby has added to residents’ concerns, with a significant part of the surrounding area occupied by units at Kundaim. Khan said the panchayat supports the villagers and will discuss the matter at a meeting. Naik said residents could protest if the government did not stop the conversions, while the panchayat’s discussion is expected to determine its formal position.