MARGAO
Construction of the western bypass sans stilts on the Benaulim stretch passing through Tolleaband, which acts as a natural water catchment body during the monsoon, has come back to haunt the villagers inhabiting the flood plains of river Sal.
The bypass on stilts might not have found favour with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari’s emissary R K Pandey. The expert’s host of recommendations for the Goa government -- a comprehensive drainage plan around the Khareband-Benaulim stretch of the flood plains of river Sal for smooth drainage of water and contain floods, was the talking point amongst the beleaguered villagers on Tuesday.
Reasons: What has been feared all along not only by the villagers of Benaulim, but neighbouring Mungul, Seraulim and right up to Nuvem, where the western bypass alignment passes, came true on Tuesday as roads were submerged under water and the flood plains inundated by floods.
In fact, the Benaulim-Pedda road at the western bypass underpass, the road at the Seraulim underpass was under flood waters throughout Tuesday.
Other roads including roads at Nuvem, Presentation Convent high school road too were inundated by water, throwing up questions whether the inundation of roads and the flood plains submerged under water is the direct effect of the western bypass passing through the water catchment areas of Benaulim and Seraulim.
Tolleabandh water body
was full to brim
A visit to Benaulim revealed that the Tolleabandh water body was full to the brim. While water flowed into the body from the river Sal running in full spate, water drainage from the water body to the river seemed hampered with inadequate drainage network. In a bid to assuage the farmers and villagers, the PWD, National Highway had built additional culverts along the bypass alignment at the Tolleaband water body but the culverts on the Benaulim-Varca road proved insufficient to meet the requirements.
River Sal flood plains
submerged under water
If the flood plains of river Sal, right from Benaulim, Mungul, Seraulim and Nuvem were submerged under water last Sunday following incessant rains, the situation has only worsened on Tuesday due to the heavy downpour. Apprehensions have been raised over the slow movement of flood waters at Benaulim, Mungul, Seraulim and Nuvem.
Leave alone the roads at Benaulim, Mungul, Seraulim and Nuvem submerged under water, the vast tracts of low lying fields in these villages are all full to the brim. If Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had complained of reverse water flow from the river Sal a week ago, the ground reality has only worsened on Tuesday, with questions raised whether the construction of the western bypass on earthen embankments, building along the flood plains of river Sal, is the cause behind the flood like situation.
Damodar College
entrance inundated
The entrance to the Damodar College and Law college, besides the Loyola grounds were all submerged under water on Tuesday. Locals pointed out that these low lying areas are inundated under water for want of quick drainage of the flood water. Sources said these institutes have come up in what locals said as the city’s water catchment areas.
