Redesign aims to save thousands of trees
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat along with Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai launched tree plantation on the NH66 at Nuvem on Friday.
MARGAO
In a major boost for environmental conservation efforts, the Public Works Department (PWD) on World Environment Day announced that the environmentally sensitive valley section of the Karmal Ghat of the NH66 expansion project will be constructed on stilts, a move expected to save thousands of trees from being felled.
The announcement was made by PWD Chief Engineer Dattaprasad Kamat during a World Environment Day function held at Nuvem, where a tree plantation drive was launched along the NH66 corridor.
According to the Chief Engineer, the four-km valley section of the highway passing through Karmal Ghat will be built on stilts, allowing the road to traverse the area with minimal impact on the existing trees and ecosystem.
The decision comes in the wake of sustained concerns raised by environmentalists, who had flagged the proposed large-scale destruction of trees along the Karmal Ghat stretch as part of the four-laning project between Cuncolim and Canacona.
Earlier, inaugurating the tree plantation campaign, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat called for greater efforts to increase green cover along national and State highways. He advocated the planting of fruit-bearing trees, saying they would benefit both the environment and local communities.
“Fruit-bearing trees, including jambul, cashew and mango, should be planted along highways. They will not only help protect the environment but also provide fruits for the people,” Kamat said.
Former Minister and Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira also underscored the importance of tree plantation along highways and other public spaces to safeguard the environment for future generations.
Meanwhile, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai drew attention to the persistent problem of garbage dumping along the eastern bypass at Nuvem and Arlem. Suggesting the installation of surveillance systems, Sardesai said bringing vulnerable stretches of the bypass under CCTV monitoring could help deter offenders from illegally disposing of waste.
Responding positively to the suggestion, Minister Kamat said the PWD would consider installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations to curb roadside dumping along national and State highways.
The World Environment Day programme highlighted the government’s twin focus on infrastructure development and environmental protection, with the proposed stilt-based highway construction at Karmal Ghat emerging as a significant step towards balancing both objectives.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar also spoke.
