the goan I network
MARGAO
The controversial Western bypass issue dominated the gram sabha of Navelim village Panchayat on Sunday with agitated members demanding that the Panchayat call for a joint meeting of all concerned, including PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to clarify on a host of issues, including building the bypass on stilts at the Salpem lake.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Wilma D’Silva saw agitated gram sabha members raising the issue of the Western bypass, demanding to know why the road works is presently underway if the NHAI has agreed to build the bypass on stilts at the lake.
Members raised the apprehensions that work on the bypass project is in full swing and that the Panchayat should intervene and get the authorities clarify on the sensitive issues. They pointed out that the authorities should clarify to the villagers of Navelim whether the NHAI are building the bypass on stilts or are going ahead with the bypass by filling up the water body.
The Sarpanch as well as the deputy Sarpanch Paul Pereira said the Panchayat would call a joint meeting of the concerned authorities, including PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar, Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro, officials of the PWD and NHAI to discuss the issue.
Members raised the questions on the incomplete highway widening project carried out by the authorities, which is a cause of many accidents on the road. Members also highlighted the need for rumblers to be installed on the NH-17 to prevent accidents.
