Why is the Margao Western National Highway bypass taken up for construction separately when it is part and parcel of the Polem-Patradevi NH-17 expansion project, which the State government says will become a reality no sooner the alignment is finalised and forwarded to the Centre for execution?
Questions are being raised as to why the Centre or the State government is rushing with the construction of the Margao bypass project when there is a proposal for creating a bypass on stilts, that will in turn involve making additional monetary provision to the tune of Rs 150 crore per kilometre? This question has assumed significance in view of the fact that the State government-appointed consultant has already submitted its report on the NH-17 highway alignment, including the bypasses proposed along the Polem-Patradevi road alignment.
When The Goan posed this question to PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, he admitted that the Margao Western bypass is part and parcel of the NH-17 expansion project. “The Centre has taken up construction of the Margao bypass first, as the NH-17 alignment between Polem and Patradevi has not yet been finalised by the government. But, it is a fact that the Margao bypass is a part of the NH-17 project,” Dhavalikar pointed out.
When The Goan questioned him as to why the government cannot make a provision for an elevated Margao bypass in the flood-prone water catchment areas in the proposed NH-17 expansion project if the current bypass project has no provision for flyovers, the PWD Minister replied saying that is exactly what the State government is now trying to do in view of the representations received from many quarters, apprehending inundation of the water catchment areas along the flood-prone areas of Benaulim, Colva and Seraulim.
“The State government is open to the construction of the Margao bypass on stilts wherever required. Though the Centre has awarded the contract for the Margao bypass construction work at an estimated cost of Rs 201 crore, the provision for flyovers in the flood-prone areas along the alignment can be made in the NH-17 expansion project,” he said. Dhavalikar, however, hastened to add that the PWD will conduct a detailed study on the flooding pattern in the water catchment areas before recommending a flyover at the vulnerable spot.
When asked to comment on the demand made by the agitating people that the government should first conduct the study before undertaking land filling of the bypass alignment, Dhavalikar informed that some land filling will be required to facilitate movement of vehicles and other equipment that will be used for surveying the area.
Residents of Benaulim, Seraulim, Colva and Mungul have been demanding the construction of the Margao Western bypass on stilts, fearing large-scale flooding of low-lying areas along the vulnerable Khareband-Benaulim-Mungul, Seraulim belt - considered a water catchment area for the monsoon water.
The 12-km Margao Western bypass begins at Verna, and connects the Verna bypass, the Nuvem bypass before passing through the low-lying water catchment areas of Seraulim, Colva, Benaulim and then into Navelim and Telaulim before joining the existing NH-17 at Dramapur.
While agitated villagers have been demanding an elevated bypass, the PWD has proposed a lone flyover over the railway crossing at Mungul, besides around 40 culverts and underpasses along the route.
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MARGAO:With work on the construction of the Margao Western bypass held up in view of the objections raised by villagers of Benaulim, Colva, Seraulim and Mungul against land filling in the water catchment areas, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is expected to guide the state PWD and assist the department in taking a call on the points raised by the villagers during his weekend visit to the State.
Senior PWD officials are expected to meet in a day or two to put in a place an alternate proposal taking into account the objections and suggestions raised by the villagers before a concrete plan is placed before Parrikar by the State government.
That the Margao Western bypass issue will now be discussed with the Defence Minister indicates that the government does not want to antagonise the ruling MLAs, Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado and Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva, who have both demanded construction of the bypass on stilts.
While Caitu has made it clear that that the bypass passing through his Benaulim constituency, including the villages of Benaulim, Colva and Seraulim, should be constructed on stilts, Navelim MLA and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado said that he has requested the PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar to construct the flyovers wherever required in his Navelim constituency.
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BYPASSING PEOPLE'S WISHES?
- The 12-km Margao Western bypass begins at Verna, and connects the Verna and Nuvem bypasses before passing through the low-lying water catchment areas of Seraulim, Colva, Benaulim, and then entering Navelim and Telaulim before joining the existing NH-17 at Dramapur.
- Although the project is a part of the Polem-Patradevi NH-17 expansion project, the government has decided to commence work on the Margao bypass as the NH-17 alignment between Polem and Patradevi is yet to be finalised
- However, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar says the government will consider making stilts for the Margao bypass wherever
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