Navsari’s Parsi community has intensified its opposition to a proposal by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to acquire a portion of the sacred Doongerwadi land for the four-laning of the Surat–Navsari highway, urging authorities to adopt an alternative alignment that preserves the sanctity of the site.

The issue first arose earlier in 2025 when government officials visited the Doongerwadi, located along the banks of the Purna River, to conduct a preliminary survey. Community members objected strongly, stating that the visit was carried out without prior intimation or consultation. Soon after, following these objections, NHAI issued a formal notice and returned to the site to assess land requirements.

According to former Vice Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Kersi Deboo, the project proposes widening the existing two-lane road into a four-lane highway and constructing a parallel bridge under National Highway 64. As per the current alignment, nearly 8,000 square feet of land from the approximately 10-acre Doongerwadi precinct would need to be acquired.

In response, the community proposed alternative routes, including one that completely bypasses the nearly 500-year-old Doongerwadi and another that limits acquisition to about 3,000 square feet. Kersi Deboo pointed out that Navsair’s community members have, over the years, cooperated with infrastructure projects and have already ceded significant land, including 28,000 square feet around five years ago. However, the area now identified contains sacred structures, making further acquisition untenable.

More recently, the community launched the ‘Save Doongerwadi Land’ campaign and announced plans to approach the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways seeking intervention. Community leaders have reiterated that while development is essential, it must respect religious heritage. They maintain that protecting Doongerwadi is integral to preserving the faith and identity of Navsari’s Parsis, and have called for a resolution grounded in dialogue, sensitivity and respect.