Mumbai: The Parsi community in Navsari has opposed the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) plan to acquire a portion of the sacred Doongerwadi (Tower of Silence) land for road widening, calling for an alternative alignment that spares the site.

The protest followed a visit by government officials to Doongerwadi, located on the banks of the Purna river on the outskirts of Navsari, to conduct a preliminary survey for the proposed road expansion. Community members objected, citing the site’s religious sanctity and the lack of prior notice for the survey. Subsequently, NHAI issued a formal notice and revisited the site.

Former vice-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Kersi K. Deboo, told the Hindustan Times that NHAI plans to widen the Surat–Navsari Road from two lanes to four lanes and construct a new bridge parallel to the existing one under National Highway 64. This would require the acquisition of around 8,000 sq ft of the 10-acre Doongerwadi land. He added that the community has sought alternative alignments and intends to approach the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) with its request.

Deboo explained that one proposed alternative would completely bypass the historic 500-year-old Doongerwadi, while another would involve the acquisition of around 3,000 sq ft. The Parsis have said they have already ceded significant land in and around Navsari for various projects in the past, including a portion of Doongerwadi itself. “However, it is not feasible for us to part with any more land this time, particularly as the area now identified contains sacred structures,” Deboo said.

The community has launched a ‘Save Doongerwadi Land’ campaign and plans to approach the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Community leaders noted that while land had been ceded earlier for infrastructure projects, including 28,000 sq ft five years ago, the current proposal affects areas with holy structures, making further acquisition unacceptable. DeshGujarat