the goan I network
MARGAO
With the government resuming work on the controversial western bypass in the village, the Benaulim Panchayat on Wednesday weighed various options, including the option to approach the High Court.
A day after Sarpanch Ezlina Fernandes dashed off a letter to the district Collector, South with a request not to proceed with the bypass work, the Benaulim panchayat on Wednesday decided to consult the panchayat lawyer before taking the matter to the High Court.
The sarpanch told The Goan that panchayat members have expressed concern over the resumption of work on the controversial bypass in Benaulim village when people have been demanding construction of the bypass on stilts and desilting of river Sal. “After discussions, members felt that the Panchayat should weigh the option of taking the matter in the High Court,” she added.
Meanwhile, in a letter to the district Collector, the Benaulim Saprnach drew attention of the district Collector to the fact that the panchayat has not received any orders passed by the High Court stating that work on construction of the road on the Benaulim should get underway.
The sarpanch further said that all the authorities are aware that the current proposed western bypass road will cause flooding and will impact the adjoining villages as well.
“We have seen the impact of the flooding in Benaulim this monsoon, where increased water levels flooded the higher plains, fields causing crop damage, etc,” she mentioned in the letter, further stating that the flaws in planning can be corrected at the current stage thus protecting the interest of the village.
Ezlina further went on record to state that at the October 22 meeting between PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar and Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, the villagers were assured to call a special meeting to find a solution to the long pending issue.
