Surat: Many members of the Parsi community protested before the Navsari prant officer and other land acquisition officers on Friday, when they arrived for demarcation of land to be acquired at the Doongarwadi in the Viraval area of Navsari. Officials reached Doongarwadi, the holy precinct of the Parsis, to mark land for acquisition for the proposed new bridge over the Puran River on National Highway 64. The community are against ceding any more land from this parcel, saying they gave up 28,000 square feet from it just five years ago for road widening. Kersi Deboo, former vice-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, told TOI: “The Doongarwadi is our 500-year-old property which houses many important religious buildings, including the Dakhma (Tower of Silence). Five years ago, we gave up 28,000 square feet for 18-metre road widening. After ceding the land, we demolished our 100-year-old wall and built a new wall at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. As some holy structures are situated near this wall, we are not in a position to cede more land to the govt. They arrived at our place without any notice. When we objected, they gave us a notice on Thursday and came for the visit on Friday.” According to the notice served by the Navsari prant officer to the trust managing the Doongarwadi, “The proposed land acquisition is in accordance with the National Highway Act as a new bridge will be built over the Purna river on NH-64. The notification was published in the govt gazette on Nov 3, 2025. The Navsari talati published the notification on the notice board on Nov 14.” The notice cautioned the trustees to cooperate when the district inspector of land records (DILR) and other officials when they visited on Friday for demarcation, measurement and survey. “In the past, Parsis have given up land for development from hospitals, schools, colleges and the Doongarwadi too. This time, it is not possible as our holy structures are right next to the wall. We will contest this up to the highest authority. We will complain to the Prime Minister, chief minister and seek help from the National Commission for Minorities,” Deboo said.A meeting had been called by officials of the Navsari collectorate on Saturday to discuss the issue with the Parsi community.Navsari prant officer Janam Thakore told TOI: “A new river bridge has been sanctioned over the Purna river near Viraval for the Dandi Heritage Route. This bridge is downstream of the existing bridge. As more land needed to widen the road at the turning for heavy vehicles, we need to acquire 200 square metres land from this property. Team from various agencies including the NHAI and DILR had reached the spot on Friday for a joint measurement survey (JMS), where many community members were present. We explained the situation and further discussion will be held on Saturday evening.”
