The western bypass to Margao has hit a snag. The 11.9 km bypass goes through low lying areas which serve as sinks for most village located along its length. All it takes is a heavy monsoon shower for roads in Benaulim and Seraulim to get flooded and villagers surmise that construction of the bypass will make matters worse. The argument is that embankments will block flow of water and consequently water levels will rise.
Having said that, the question that begs an answer is why did villagers wait for the last moment to raise their voices? The bypass has been in the planning for over a decade. The route is well known, land was acquired long back and problems if any, should have been discussed earlier, not after a contract was signed and work began. The reaction of the villagers will not only delay the project but also increase costs. At present prices it will cost the state Rs 201 crore to build the bypass at roughly Rs 20 crore per km. If delays set in the project cost will escalate.
Is this an insurmountable problem? Not really. In this age of technology and advanced engineering a solution can be worked out. Engineers in the PWD and water sources are of the opinion that construction of the bypass will not increase flooding as sufficient number of culverts have been incorporated into the plan. It is assumed that the departments have made a thorough study of the flooding patterns and have included mitigating measures, but the difficult part is no one really knows for sure what will happen until the bypass is built.
Those protesting against the project are armed with a 2000 study conducted by then Deputy Collector of Margao which pointed out that the bypass cuts through wetlands which act as a water basin for the Sal river. Besides, low lying fields have historically acted as a sink for run-off water from villages along the river. Hence, a re-think was recommended. One does not really know if the government think-tank went back to the drawing board to review the project and make necessary changes, but construction has commenced and villagers are worried about the consequences.
Without support from the villages along the route, work is not likely to progress smoothly and going by the general experience in the State, hurdles will come thick and fast. The real challenge before the government is how to allay the fears of villagers. The Sarpanch of Seraulim has suggested construction of a flyover instead of embankments. While this is obviously the ideal solution the cost is prohibitive. The cost of constructing a four-lane elevated road from Siridao to Verna along with a bridge across the Zuari river will cost the Centre Rs 10,000 crore. Had this financial burden to fall on the State, the project would never have gone beyond the concept stage.
The area from Nuvem to Margao and beyond Navelim on the Southern side is a picture of congestion. Some of it has eased thanks to construction of the eastern bypass, but without the western bypass the system for diverting traffic away from the city will not be complete. So, there is no doubt that the project is required. Perhaps, the best way of going about the task is by taking villagers into confidence and working out a system of anti-flood measures.
