Taken for a ride: where is Uguem-Capxem bypass?
DHIRAJ HARMALKAR
CURCHOREM
Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral has now claimed that the Uguem-Capxem bypass will be re-tendered within 15 days. Locals have stepped up their demand for a bypass to curb mishaps, traffic congestion and dust pollution, besides other difficulties linked to mining transport.
Problem is the bypass issue is far more complicated than just a matter of public sentiment. The proposed route passes through two constituencies, with three MLAs as stakeholders.
Then, the project is divided into two phases, of which work has stopped on one phase and land acquisition process has not taken place for the other phase.
DEMAND
FOR A BYPASS
Sanvordem Sarpanch Sanjay Naik has highlighted the importance of a bypass between Uguem, Guddemol and Capxem jetty, claiming that it would not only be a safe route, but would cut short the distance between Uguem and Capxem.
“The proposed bypass from Uguem to Guddemol and Capxem jetty will be around 20 kms. This project was initiated in 2012, but it was neglected after mining came to a halt and mining traffic was virtually absent in the region. As a result, people remained silent on this project,” explained Sanjay.
“But the recent resumption of mining traffic due to regulated ore transportation has revived the need for a bypass, especially in light of the recent fatal mishap involving a mining truck.”
Pradeep Kakodkar, convenor of Mission Bypass, a pressure group pushing for the project, claimed that a bypass or a mining corridor is the ultimate solution for traffic congestion, fatal accidents and mining transport related problems in the area.
“A mining bypass is important and necessary to avoid road accidents linked to mining transport. We demand necessary infrastructure in place to carry out mining transportation as we don’t want innocent people to die on the roads. Mining transportation should only ply along this bypass,” Kakodkar added.
PHASES OF
PROPOSED BYPASS
At present, mining traffic passes through the main road via Tilamol, Curchorem and Kakumuddi. But when the bypass is constructed, the route will not pass through Curchorem constituency in any way.
According to Kakodkar, the bypass project has been planned in two phases. “The first phase was from Uguem-Capxem jetty via Guddemol area for which land acquisition was completed. Work on this project was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in 2012. But work on the project was stopped due to financial issues and a subsequent ban in mining activity,” said Kakodkar. Demands have now been growing, especially at a recent gram sabha in Sanvordem, to restart and complete this first phase of the bypass.
“The second phase of the bypass road is from Muscaurem to Uguem via Malakpan area, which is near the catchment area of Selaulim dam. Land acquisition is yet to be done for this phase,” said Kakodkar.
