MARGAO
It's official. The Western bypass on stilts proposed along the less than a kilometer stretch passing through the once picturesque Salpem lake, Navelim, will cost the Centre a whopping Rs 90 crore.
Similar estimates, however, have not been prepared by the authorities along the Benaulim-Seraulim-Mungul stretch of the Western bypass, where villagers have been demanding construction of the bypass on stilts.
Estimates for the flyover proposed by the Manohar Parrikar government to save the Salpem lake from destruction have been prepared by the project consultant and the same will be submitted to the PWD department for further action. "It's only after the PWD department accords various approvals for the bypass on stilts passing through the lake and the final green signal from the Goa government, the file will be moved to the Centre for additional funds," senior officials in the know told The Goan on Tuesday.
The official said that the consultant has prepared estimates for the flyover passing through the Salpem lake. "The flyover will cover only the lake and the total distance is estimated to be less than a kilometre," the official informed.
Work of drawing up the estimates for the flyover along the Salpem lake was taken up by the project consultant after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar acceded to the demands raised by the local MLA Luizinho Faleiro and the villagers, who had strongly rooted for a bypass on stilts passing through the lake.
The Goan understands that the government has till date not taken a call on the demand raised by the villagers of Benaulim and Seraulim for constructing the bypass on stilts. Though PWD Minister, Sudin Dhavalikar had announced a month ago that the government has accepted the demand of the villagers to construct the bypass on stilts covering a length of three kilometers, Parrikar had later clarified that there's no proposal to build the bypass on stilts along the entire three-km stretch, but will be restricted only along the Salpem lake stretch.
Incidentally, Parrikar had earlier assured villagers of Benaulim and Seraulim that he would inspect the flood-prone and low-lying areas of the two villages, but the assessment is yet to take place till date.
Information revealed that while work on the Benaulim-Seraulim-Mungul stretch of the western bypass has not started till date, the work is in full swing on the Telaulim side of the bypass.
It's official. The Western bypass on stilts proposed along the less than a kilometer stretch passing through the once picturesque Salpem lake, Navelim, will cost the Centre a whopping Rs 90 crore.
Similar estimates, however, have not been prepared by the authorities along the Benaulim-Seraulim-Mungul stretch of the Western bypass, where villagers have been demanding construction of the bypass on stilts.
Estimates for the flyover proposed by the Manohar Parrikar government to save the Salpem lake from destruction have been prepared by the project consultant and the same will be submitted to the PWD department for further action. "It's only after the PWD department accords various approvals for the bypass on stilts passing through the lake and the final green signal from the Goa government, the file will be moved to the Centre for additional funds," senior officials in the know told The Goan on Tuesday.
The official said that the consultant has prepared estimates for the flyover passing through the Salpem lake. "The flyover will cover only the lake and the total distance is estimated to be less than a kilometre," the official informed.
Work of drawing up the estimates for the flyover along the Salpem lake was taken up by the project consultant after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar acceded to the demands raised by the local MLA Luizinho Faleiro and the villagers, who had strongly rooted for a bypass on stilts passing through the lake.
The Goan understands that the government has till date not taken a call on the demand raised by the villagers of Benaulim and Seraulim for constructing the bypass on stilts. Though PWD Minister, Sudin Dhavalikar had announced a month ago that the government has accepted the demand of the villagers to construct the bypass on stilts covering a length of three kilometers, Parrikar had later clarified that there's no proposal to build the bypass on stilts along the entire three-km stretch, but will be restricted only along the Salpem lake stretch.
Incidentally, Parrikar had earlier assured villagers of Benaulim and Seraulim that he would inspect the flood-prone and low-lying areas of the two villages, but the assessment is yet to take place till date.
Information revealed that while work on the Benaulim-Seraulim-Mungul stretch of the western bypass has not started till date, the work is in full swing on the Telaulim side of the bypass.
