MARGAO
With the PWD, National Highway bracing up to undertake massive land filling of the western bypass alignment passing through the Tolleaband lake, local villagers and newly-elected Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas had a question or two for the government “ why can’t the government bear an extra cost of Rs 170 crore and build the bypass on stilts along the 2.75 km Benaulim-Seraulim stretch?
The Benaulim MLA further told the villagers that it is now clear there was no political will in the past to ensure the bypass is built on stilts, he promised support to take the matter right up to the Supreme Court to get relief for the villagers.
Venzy descended near the Tolleaband lake on Saturday morning with Aam Aadmi Party leader, Adv Amit Palekar, apparently to reassure the beleaguered villagers that they would fight till the last to get the bypass on stilts. “We have the lawyers with us, but the PWD is taking advantage of the Holi holidays to fill up the Tolleaband lake. We do not support development in the name of destruction. Even the courts would have been moved had they seen how the lake will be filled up to make way for the bypass,” he said.
He added: “It is now apparent the PWD wants to bulldoze with the bypass work even before the paddy could be harvested. We are all prepared to knock the doors of the Judiciary, but we are also aware that the PWD will complete the filling taking advantage of the holidays.”
Adv Amit Palekar told the media that it is never too late to prove one’s rights. “Just a glance at the bypass alignment shows they have approved the alignment to save some private interest. In the bargain, they are destroying the environment. They are filling up the ponds and water bodies along the way. The river Sal is passing very close to the bypass. All this could have been avoided,” he said.
Palekar wondered why the PWD is rushing with the land filling work when the agency could have stopped the work for 2-3 days to facilitate the villagers to move the courts to seek justice. “The government should understand that saving Rs 100 crore by not building the bypass on stilts could cost the people and the environment dearly in the future,” he warned.
