MARGAO
This season, the authorities have another task at hand. Officials of the NH-17, which is supervising and monitoring construction of the Western bypass, are required to take a close look at the Tolleabadh water body which is always filled to the brim during the monsoon. The alignment of the Western bypass cuts right through this water body before joining Navelim village over river Sal.
Residents of Benaulim along with local MLA Caitu Silva have been opposing the filling of land for the bypass for the simple reason that construction of the earthen embankment “ around 30 meters wide and six meters in height -- through Tolleabandh will trigger unimaginable floods in the village. Local residents argue that if Tolleabandh is submerged under water every monsoon, prompting the district authorities to evacuate migrants from the area, the situation will only aggravate if the bypass comes up.
The story this monsoon at Tolleabandh is no different. Deputy Collector Margao Ajit Panchwadkar and his team were closely monitoring the situation late Tuesday night as the water level went up dangerously, posing danger to migrants staying in the hutments on the bandh. Panchwadkar said the authorities again made a plea to the migrants to shift to safer places, but they ignored the warning.
