MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that the much talked about balance work of western bypass in Margao will be constructed on stilts and by way of embankments as recommended by the NGT-appointed expert committee.
“The 10-member expert committee set up by the NGT submitted a report in October 2021 recommending 9.80 metres on stilt and the balance on embankment. The modified scope now includes 1.2 km elevated structure including the approach access and the remaining 1.55 km on embankment. Based on the data provided by the WRD required cross drainage has been proposed so that there is no water flooding,” Sawant said, while assuring the members of the House.
The Chief Minister was responding to the concerns of flooding expressed by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas due to the ongoing landfilling work to construct the western bypass.
Raising the issue during the discussion on supplementary demands, Sardesai and Viegas said people from their constituencies had doubts whether the bypass would be constructed on stilts on account of landfilling activity.
Sawant informed that the total length of the western bypass project was 11.09 km of which 8.89 km was already completed under the supervision of the High Court.
He said that the balance work of 2.75 km was also being monitored by the HC which had directed expediting of the work in order to decongest Margao city.
The CM further informed that a box culvert for cross drainage has been proposed in the size of 12m x 3m at required locations and the discharge area was more than what was suggested by the WRD.
“In all seven box culverts are proposed in areas where filling is involved. As of now work is in progress strictly as per the recommendations of the 10-member expert committee of NGT. The HC has recently passed an order to clear all the obstruction with police protection to ensure that progress of the balance work is expedited,” Sawant said.
