MARGAO
With the Union Ministry of Road Surface Transport Ministry giving its nod to land acquisition for the Cuncolim bypass, Leader of Opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to ensure that the route which gives relief to the residents must be chosen for the bypass.
Pointing out that the idea of a bypass is to avoid damage and destruction of houses and also create safety & security to people, Yuri said the proposed Option-3 of the bypass for National Highway 66 should not cause any damage to the houses.
With fear and anxiety in their minds of losing their homes due to the proposed bypass to NH-66 passing through Cuncolim, some residents called on the MLA to find out the status of the alignment.
“As per the reply to my Assembly question on July 15, 2022, the State government stated that a survey will be conducted to determine the number of houses to be affected. The reply to my LAQ also states that the survey will also determine route location, length/distance, estimated cost etc. My efforts will be to ensure no loss to the residents and land owners,” he said adding he would meet with top PWD officials to understand the proposed Option-3 for which funds are allocated.
He added: “No doubt that the bypass is the solution to put an end to the frequent traffic congestions in Cuncolim. The heavy vehicle movement through the market and residential areas also cause a threat to the lives, but saving houses is going to be my only priority.”
Saying that alternate routes were proposed to the government and approved to save the houses, Yuri reminded that the bypass alignment running parallel to the Konkan Railway track still exists in Regional Plan 21.
