CORTALIM
As part of the road expansion drive from Cortalim junction to Chicalim along NH17A, the PWD started clearing the mangroves and other trees along the stretch.
On Thursday, as a JCB was uprooting mangroves and other bushes on the water body along the Cortalim-Sancoale highway, some locals were curious to know as to what could be the reason to uproot the trees and bushes including mangroves which is a protected species.
Speaking to The Goan, Eddy Fernandes from Dabolim who was present at the site expressed fear that the destruction of mangroves could result in the water rising and inundating the highway, exposing traffic and pedestrians to danger.
Another resident of Cortalim, Dilip Bandodkar said if it is meant for road widening, then it is fine but all the formalities need to be fulfilled before starting the work.
When contacted, assistant engineer (Highway) Vincent D'Souza said the works were part of the road widening within the area which have been acquired. “We will widen between 2.5 to 3 metres on either side from Cortalim till Chicalim,” D'Souza told The Goan.
