MARGAO
Chinchinim villagers once again knocked the doors of the government, this time making a humble plea to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to build a road bypass on the NH66 at Dandeavaddo instead of a road on stilts.
A delegation of the villagers along with Chinchinim panchayat members led by Sarpanch Valentino Barretto, Franky Viegas, besides residents comprising of Upendra Pai Angle met the Chief Minister on the sidelines of the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Tuesday.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, who was present with the Chief Minister, also said the villagers have been fighting for a road bypass over the years.
Sarpanch Valentino Barretto informed that the delegation has urged the Chief Minister to build a road bypass at Dandeavaddo instead of a flyover. He further said the PWD, National Highways had in the past agreed for the road bypass, but later changed the plan in favour of a flyover. “We have been demanding a road bypass so that the road will take care of the future requirements. The flyover is being proposed on a 30-metre wide existing road, which will rule out further expansion in the future,” he said, adding that the Chief Minister, who holds the PWD portfolio, will resolve their long pending demand.
Villager Upendra Pai Angle said the people have been demanding a road bypass since houses and structures were once demolished to make way for the highway expansion in the 1980’s. “The road bypass can be built through barren fields and does not affect anyone. In fact, it will cater to the future requirements,” he said.
Saying the Chief Minister has promised to study the demand put forth by the villagers, Angle exuded confidence that CM Sawant will give relief to the people of Chinchinim.
