Nago Tunnel Dispute: Citizens and Authorities Clash Over Projects
Romano Verani, coordinator of **Vi.va.bas.**, intervenes to announce the new initiatives of the committee against the short tunnel: “The voices of dissent are countless and unanimous, with the exception of the mayor of Nago, who boasts about managing to slightly shift the tunnel entrance, forgetting that it was he and his council who indicated it “with a clear preference on the side towards Lake Loppio” (resolution no. 59/2000).
Those who are content enjoy. To verify the true approval of the citizens of Nago towards their mayor’s position, a popular assembly will soon be convened.
The widespread dissent is mainly based on two aspects. The first concerns the irremovable, presumptuous reticence of the **Provincia** in the face of the contrary demands expressed by the residents living in the area affected by the project, the second is the nonchalance with which the **Provincia** dismisses the hypothesis desired by the Basso Sarca (the long tunnel) in favor of a similar one for the luckier citizens of Mezzolombardo.
The Positions of the Institutions and the Criticisms of the Movement
Our movement (like any sensible person) considers it unacceptable that the **Provincia** can make decisions contrary to the will of the citizens, who see their environment and quality of life worsen.
There is no reason in the world that can justify such behavior. Equally unjustifiable, if our assumptions are correct, is the statement by the provincial public works councilor – “we build the roads, we put the money in.”
We are obliged to remind him that, even if the keys to the treasury are in his hands, the money is ours, as is the land that they want to modify without consulting us.
How can the opposing position expressed by the **Consiglio comunale di Arco**, representing 14,000 citizens, not be taken into account? Even the Riva municipality, representing as many people, although less concerned with purely environmental aspects, has encouraged the provincial government to “evaluate possible modifications to the Nago to Linfano plain road in agreement with the three involved municipalities.”
Criticisms and Decisions on the Tunnel Line
And finally, with what courage was the hypothesis of the long tunnel dismissed, only to then implement an even longer one near Mezzolombardo? Why were the technical reasons given to justify the cancellation of our tunnel not applied to the other?
**Vi.Va.Bas.**, which until now has maintained an open stance to find the best possible solution, might be forced to reconsider its approach in the face of the stubborn and arbitrary attitude of the **Provincia**: this will be decided by the citizens.
At the meeting on February 7th, the board decided to request an urgent meeting with Ing. Tiso, head of the project contested by the Movement, to gain an accurate understanding of the situation and then present itself at the upcoming popular assemblies, which will be convened as soon as possible to decide on further initiatives to undertake.