MARGAO: TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said the government will consider views of the local people, including the local Panchayat body, before taking a call on the Cortalim traffic diversion.
The TCP Minister on Thursday morning had a meeting with a group of residents of Cortalim, including farmers, who have not been paid in lieu of the land lost for the bridge. The group also offered a host of suggestions, including construction of a parallel road to the bridge to ensure that they do not get sealed in the process of traffic diversion.
“The people have made some suggestions, which will be considered at the high-level meeting scheduled on Friday at the Secretariat. They fear that the entry and exit to their residences will be sealed if the government goes ahead with the traffic diversion plan. Hence, they have called for an alternate parallel road, which will take care of their requirements, including emergency provision for ambulances etc”, he said, adding that the government will evolve the best solution to the issue in the interest of all concerned.
Replying to a question, he said the local view is clear that there should not be any closure of the highway, adding that the PWD officials will be asked to examine the proposal submitted by the local people for constructing a parallel road for the benefit of the residents.
On the demand raised by the group that they have not been adequately compensated, Sardesai said the government will certainly ensure that all those who have lost
their land are compensated as per the norms. “We will protect the interest of the farmers. They need not worry as the government will put into effect a plan that will benefit the farmers”, he said.
In fact, Sardesai, who holds the Agriculture Portfolio, said that the farmers, numbering around 46, will be given benefits under the concept of community farming. “Let this be the income generating model for farmers across the state, who have lost their land for some public utility project”, he added.
