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Traders Face The Possibility Of Being Removed From Strategic Areas Along BR-153, While Awaiting The Start Of Duplication And Uncertainties About The Future Of Their Families.
The duplication of BR-153, a federal highway that crosses important regions of Goiás and Tocantins, is generating apprehension among traders who occupy the domain strips of the road, especially in the section between Rianápolis and Nova Glória, in Jardim Paulista, Goiás.
The concessionaire Ecovias do Araguaia, responsible for managing the stretch from Anápolis (GO) to Aliança do Tocantins (TO), announced plans to begin the highway duplication works, which include the construction of a new bridge over the Rio das Almas.
However, a significant problem has arisen: hundreds of traders, who have maintained their businesses along the road for years, fear being evicted without viable alternatives for compensation or relocation.
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According to residents and sources from the newspaper Opção, engineers are already conducting measurements and surveys on site to facilitate the construction of the bridge, indicating that the works may begin soon.
This movement on the ground has generated a wave of uncertainty and apprehension among local vendors, who, although they acknowledge the illegality of their occupations, question what would happen if they were removed without any practical alternative.
Traders Without Authorization Face The Threat Of Forced Removal
In a scenario that mixes economic difficulties with legal insecurity, many traders have no formal authorization to operate in the area.
To occupy the domain strips of federal highways, specific authorization from agencies such as DNIT (National Department of Transport Infrastructure) and ANTT (National Land Transportation Agency) is required, something the vendors do not have.
Even so, they have supported their families for decades with this work, putting down roots along the highway.
“I know my occupation here is not legal, but why have we never been bothered until now?”, questions a local trader, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. “I have been here for over 20 years, I support my family, and now, all of a sudden, they say we have to leave”, he adds, visibly emotional.
Another trader who works in the area, but also did not want to be identified, reported that he received a notification from Ecovias do Araguaia demanding his eviction.
The concessionaire warned that, in case of non-compliance, it would use machinery to demolish the constructions on site.
This approach has generated indignation and a sense of powerlessness among small traders, who see the duplication of the highway as a direct threat to their livelihoods.
The Uncertainty About The Future Of Traders’ Families
For many traders, the lack of alternatives is the main concern.
“I raised my children here, over 20 years. Now, they ask me to leave and don’t tell me where to go”, laments another trader, who has also worked in the area for decades.
He and other vendors argue that the lack of a relocation plan puts them in an unsustainable situation, as there are no concrete proposals for them to continue working elsewhere.
One of the traders, who has also been in the area for over 20 years, shared that the constant uncertainty about the future is affecting her emotional health.
“It’s a constant pressure. I don’t know what I’m going to do, nor how to start over elsewhere”, she reported, with a choked voice.
The apprehension is shared by many others who, like her, have built their lives over the years in this informal working environment, which is crucial for their survival.
Another notable case is that of a watermelon seller who, in addition to working along the highway, also resides with his family on site.
He is afraid of being evicted and fears for his family’s safety, especially because he doesn’t know where to go if he is forced to leave.
Councilor Seeks Support To Prevent Removal
The situation has generated strong political mobilization in Nova Glória.
Councilor Elias José da Silva, known as Elias PM, from PL, has been working to support local traders and seeking solutions that allow them to remain along the highway, or at least to ensure fair compensation and relocation to another location.
“These are families that depend on this commerce to survive. What will happen to these people?”, questions Elias.
He estimates that between 35 and 40 traders will be directly impacted by the removal, which could result in the loss of approximately 70 direct jobs.
Despite the pressure, there is still no definitive deadline for eviction, although the concessionaire has indicated that the works may begin as early as next year.
“They told us they would soon begin the duplication, but did not give an exact date. However, the pressure is already happening now”, the councilor asserts.
The Duplication Of BR-153: A Necessary Step For Modernization, But A Challenge For Traders
The duplication of BR-153 is part of a project to modernize road infrastructure in Brazil, aimed at improving safety and traffic flow between Goiás and Tocantins.
The duplication process is expected to begin in the 5th year of the concession of Ecovias do Araguaia, scheduled to start in October 2025.
However, as part of the preparations, the construction of a new bridge over the Rio das Almas has been brought forward to 2024, an important step that accelerates the need to vacate the areas along the road.
Ecovias do Araguaia, in response to the claims of traders, reaffirmed that the removal is a legal requirement and necessary to facilitate the work.
According to ANTT, the Highway Exploration Program (PER) stipulates the duplication of the stretch by the 5th year of the concession, which justifies the evacuation of the affected areas.
Although the concessionaire and competent agencies justify the need for removal, the lack of an immediate solution for traders and their families raises questions about how the State can balance infrastructure needs with the social and economic protection of local populations.
What Will Happen To The Future Of Traders?
The situation remains uncertain for traders working along BR-153.
As the duplication works approach, the question remains about what will happen to these families, who have been maintaining their businesses for decades and now face the risk of losing everything without knowing where to go.
Will there be a fair solution for these people, who have contributed so much to the local economy? Or will the highway duplication result in another case of social neglect? What do you think about this dilemma between infrastructure progress and the well-being of the affected people?
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