the goan I network
MARGAO
This question has come to the fore with Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro convincing Parrikar to build the western bypass on stilts along the Salpem lake stretch in Navelim at an additional estimated cost of Rs 160 crore, while Benaulim still does not figure in the scheme of things of the Chief Minister.
When asked the former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on the contentious issue, he replied that Benaulim villagers have till date not petitioned to him on their demand for a bypass on stilts, making it clear that he cannot take any unilateral action unless people approach him with the demand.
“Till date, no one has approached me with the demand to build the western bypass on stilts passing through Benaulim village. Faleiro took up the issue with the Chief Minister after local villagers of Navelim sought his intervention in the matter,” Churchill tried to defend his silence on the issue.
When The Goan sought to remind him that his predecessor Caitu Silva had stood like a rock and prevented the contractor from dumping a single truck load of mud for land filling, Churchill demanded to know when did the truck come to dump mud for land filling and who had stopped the contractor from doing so. “I do not know who had done what before the people of Benaulim elected me to represent them in the Legislative Assembly. Let the people approach me and I will take up the matter with the Chief Minister,” Churchill said.
He, however, hastened to add that since he is not a technical expert, he would like the PWD authorities to study and examine the issue in detail before arriving at a decision whether the bypass ought to be built on stilts on the Benaulim stretch.
Saying that though he stands for development, Churchill, however, pointed out that he will support the people’s cause if any development project creates obstacles to the local populace.
Incidentally, while Churchill is waiting for the villagers to knock at his door with their demand for construction of the western bypass on stilts, a group of villagers along with activists are bracing up to move the National Green Tribunal to stay the proposed bypass through the flood plains of Benaulim and Seraulim.
