It’s government versus the people once again. The long-drawn fight against the Western bypass has reached a flashpoint in Salcete. The fact that government has even ignored a caution thrown by a panel report way back in 2000 speaks volumes of how successive governments ignored concerns of the land and its villagers.
A report prepared by a panel headed by former Sub-Divisional Magistrate and deputy collector, Margao Sanjit Rodrigues a good 18 years back had raised fears over massive flooding of areas in Seraulim, Mungul, Benaulim and Khareband. It had cautioned the government over the impact on massive land filling on the low lying areas and advised second thought on the project. A proposal to alternatively broaden and four-lane the already existing eastern bypass instead of going for a western bypass tearing into agricultural fields and green areas was also proposed. The seriousness with which the issue was probed is reflected in the team which did a ground check. The high level committee included Executive engineer, PWD-Roads, Executive engineer, WRD, Executive engineer, PWD, besides SGPDA Member Secretary and Margao Municipal Council.
From the government’s perspective, it’s purely a matter of high costs. Against an initial estimated cost of Rs 202 crore for the entire 11 kms project, the stretch of 3.5 km on stilts means the government would end up shelling out an additional Rs 500 crore. This would be in addition to the Rs 180 crore for the Salpem river portion which is approved for stilts.
Despite furious protests from villagers of Benaulim, Seraulim and Mungul, the western bypass has weathered all storms and continues to wend its way. The only ray of hope from here would be if the State government expedites moves to take the controversial 3.5 km stretch as a separate project and impress upon the Centre to float a tender for stilts. Considering the ground realities, this would come as a soothing touch to a ruffled public sentiment. At a time when the Union Surface Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari is taking pride is announcing its Çentre’s allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore to develop highways and concretization of Goa-Mumbai highway, spending an additional Rs 500 crore for the people of Goa should not be a big burden.
There cannot be a short-term solution to this issue. Governments, both at the Centre and the State should factor in the vulnerable areas. The small bridges and culverts cannot be practical solutions to such a huge project which envisages spacious four lane roads besides two service roads. Genuine concerns of the villagers need to be addressed at any cost.
