PONDA, April 15 -- Team Herald

Local residents of Bhoma have strongly opposed Sports Minister and Priol MLA Govind Gaude's assertion on Tuesday that a handful of individuals were 'misguiding' the public regarding the controversial National Highway (NH) expansion project in the area.

Gaude, speaking to media, sought to reassure the public that the expansion would not affect any homes in Nagzar village. "I will be at the forefront of the protest if any JCB machine touches a single house in Nagzar," he stated. He also dismissed criticism against him, noting that the highway alignment was finalised before he took office as MLA from Priol, and accused opponents of misleading locals with misinformation.

However, Bhoma residents were quick to...