MARGAO
With the government turning down the plea for construction of the western bypass on stilts at the Benaulim stretch, villagers are weighing various options, including the option to knock the doors of the Judiciary and intensify their long-drawn agitation.
A delegation comprising the Benaulim panchayat members and members of the committee constituted to pursue the bypass on stilts is also expected to call on the PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to discuss the issue.
Sources said members of the panel had a meeting at the Benaulim panchayat on Tuesday attended by sarpanch Xavier Pereira and the petitioner before the National Green Tribunal Royla Fernandes.
The meeting is believed to have decided to first call on PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to find out the exact plan worked out by the government and the reasons behind the government’s decision not to build the bypass on stilts.
Sources pointed out that the members were of the opinion that all options, including the option to approach the Judiciary to take the battle forward, should be explored if the government is hell-bent on bulldozing its away with the bypass without stilts.
Source further pointed out that suggestions have been made to involve all the coastal villages and the neighbouring Margao Municipal Council to join hands on the issue since the flooding of the wetlands of Benaulim will not only affect the village but the neighbouring villages and Margao as well.
“First, we will try to find out what exactly the new plan is, drawn up by the PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral. We will meet the Minister no sooner we get an appointment for an audience with him,” sources said.
Meanwhile, the petitioner before the NGT Royla Fernandes has asserted that construction of the bypass on culverts is not a solution. She demanded that the government pay heed to the voices of the people and children of Benaulim and save the village from destruction.
“We will try to find out why did the government not pay heed to the report submitted by the Water Resources department, clearly recommending the bypass on stilts,” Royla said.
She said the people of Benaulim along with the neighbouring villages will unitedly work to demand that the balance stretch of the bypass passing through the village is built on stilts.
