NAVELIM-CUNCOLIM STRETCH
The PWD, NH has started the exercise to number hundreds of trees that would have to make way for the Highway expansion between Cuncolim and Navelim.
MARGAO
Hundreds of trees lining on both sides of the National Highway 66 between Cuncolim and Navelim will face the axe to make way for the expansion of the highway along the 6.5 km road.
Days after the Union Ministry of Road Transport floated the tender for the Cuncolim-Navelim four-lane road on the NH66, the PWD, NH has begun the exercise to number the trees on both sides of the existing Highway. As things stand today, around 725 trees have been numbered by the PWD officials and staff for felling to pave way for the four-laning of the existing highway road.
A PWD, NH official has confirmed that the trees lining up on both sides of the Navelim-Cuncolim highway has been numbered ahead of the exercise to cut down the trees. “The PWD will seek permission from the Forest department to cut the trees in view of the highway expansion plans”, the official added.
Another official pointed out that the PWD had planted the trees decades ago when the land was acquired for the proposed highway expansion. “Some of these trees have been posing danger to vehicular traffic during monsoons. These trees will now be cut down to make way for the highway expansion”, the official added.
Meanwhile, Chinchinim Sarpanch Frank Viegas has informed that a delegation of Chinchinim villagers will call on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as a last ditch attempts to convince the government to see reason and drop the plan to expand the existing highway between Cuncolim and Navelim on stilts at the Dandeavaddo stress and instead go for a bypass. “The local Comunidade body has already issued the NOC for acquisition of the its property for the road bypass as demanded by the residents of Dandeavaddo. We hope the Chief Minister will see reason and drop the proposal to build the highway passing through Dandeavaddo on stilts”, Frank said.
