MARGAO
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated the 5.7 km stretch of the 11-km Margao Western bypass between Verna to the wholesale fish market.
The Union Minister did not speak much on the project, other than complimenting PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, MLA Wilfred D’Sa and officials for completing the project with central funds.
Even as people waging a battle against the 2.75 km bypass passing through the low lying fields and flood plains of river Sal, many have been anxious to know whether the Minister will shed light on the problematic stretch, but the Minister did not touch on the controversial portion in his brief address.
While the High-level expert committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recommended construction of the bypass on stilts up to a stretch of 980 meters, between the wholesale fish market and Mungul railway bridge, citizens continue to anxiously wait for the outcome in the court.
For, though the expert panel had made the recommendation for stilts along the 980-metre stretch, the court is yet to accord the official nod for the recommendation. That’s not all. The people of Benaulim have still not lost hopes of the NGT and the High Court sanctioning the bypass on stilts all along the 2.75 km stretch between Seraulim and Benaulim.
Meanwhile, the project between the Telaulim-Navelim section is presently underway. Work on the underpass at Telaulim-Navelim road has stirred a row amongst the villagers over the height of the underpass, forcing a local Antonio Alvares to knock on the doors of the High Court to increase the height as per laid down standards.
