MARGAO
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas on Wednesday conducted an inspection of the western bypass passing through Benaulim with villagers expressing concern that haphazard filling up the low-lying fields may result in waterlogging during the monsoons.
After the inspection, the Benaulim MLA pointed out that construction of the western bypass on the embankment poses an imminent danger to the people of being swept away by flooding at Tolleaband and Pedda, Benaulim.
Accompanied by the villagers, the Benaulim MLA had a look at the landfilling carried out by the contractor engaged by the PWD, National Highway as the government has suddenly increased the pace of the landfilling activity at Tolleaband and Pedda.
The MLA as well as the villagers have raised concerns that waterlogging, if not addressed properly, will just sweep away the two areas of Tolleaband and Pedda by floods in the coming monsoons.
Benaulim villages and the local MLA have been demanding construction of the western bypass on stilts to avoid flooding during the monsoons. The villagers led by the MLA had in December called on Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari with a plea to build the bypass on stilts.
The Benaulim MLA has taken up the issue with Margao MLA Digambar Kamat to use his good offices with Gadkari and get the bypass on stilts. A delegation of Benaulim panchayat led by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira has also called on the Margao MLA last week with a plea to convince the State government and the centre to build the bypass passing through Benaulim on stilts.
