MARGAO
A delegation of Benaulim villagers called on PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to find out the status of their plea to build the western bypass on stilts and the reasons behind the government's decision to go for additional culverts instead of constructing the road on stilts.
The delegation is believed to have insisted that the people will not settle for anything less than the construction of the bypass on stilts to save Benaulim from inundation and destruction.
Sources said the delegation comprising of sarpanch Xavier Pereira, petitioner in the NGT Royla Fernandes and others were explained by the PWD Minister with the help of the new plan how the government has tried to meet the water drainage requirements with additional culverts.
The PWD Minister informed the delegation that the 650-metre stretch of the bypass passing through the Tolleaband water body will have around 12 water passes instead of the three proposed in the existing plan. He further informed the delegation that the PWD will build four more culverts on the Benaulim stretch to take care of the water drainage.
The delegation, however, told the PWD Minister that the additional water passes will not solve the flooding issue in the low-lying areas of Benaulim considering the flow of water during the monsoons.
They are believed to have conveyed to the minister that the people will have no option in the given situation than to knock on the doors of the courts to get justice and secure the future of the people of Benaulim.
It is learnt that the delegation will explain the latest proposal worked out by the PWD Minister to resolve the bypass imbroglio to the people of Benaulim before chalking out the future course of action.
