MARGAO
Can Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral save the flood plains of River Sal in Benaulim and Seraulim by making his government see reason and build the remaining portion of the controversial western bypass on stilts?
Consider this. On Saturday, the Environment Minister was clear in saying the Department of Environment has shifted the original plan of the PWD, asserting putting pipes along the three-kilometer bypass stretch will not work.
‘The Goan’, however, understands that the PWD, National Highway Authority of India has already issued the work order to contractor MVR, with a direction to complete the balance work in 18 months, throwing up questions whether the government will take a fresh look at the construction of bypass in view of the recommendations of the environment department.
Cabral on Saturday told the media that the report, which has been finalized after a host of meetings with representatives of the concerned departments, has suggested building of bridges, wherever needed, including a bridge over the lake to save the water body from destruction.
“We had several meetings after receiving a complaint from Benaulim citizens that the village will be inundated if the bypass is not built on stilts. After these meetings, we have compiled a report taking into account the hydrological aspects of the flood plains. We have put in place what needs to be done at spots where water bodies and river pass”, he said, adding that the PWD plan of putting pipes along the bypass for drainage of rain water is not going to work.
Cabral further said the Water Resources Department (WRD) Chief Engineer has made a detailed study of the natural phenomenon along the stretch. “We have suggested to the PWD to drop the six meter height and instead go for three and half meters height. We have suggested building a bridge over the lake”, he said.
When ‘The Goan’ called up the National Highway officials to shed light on the bypass, Executive Enginer Dattaprasad Kamat informed that the government has issued the work order to MVR to complete the work in 18 months. “The contractor is now free to start the balance work on the project any time. Whether the contractor will start the work during the monsoons or after depends on him”, Kamat added.
Benaulim villagers move
NGT for bypass on stilts
MARGAO: A group of Benaulim villagers have moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking relief on the long-pending demand of building on silts the western bypass passing through the flood plains of river Sal.
Benaulim-based activist Royla Fernandes informed that she has knocked the doors of the NGT after the government has repeatedly rejected the demands of the villagers of Benaulim and Seraulim to build the three-long bypass stretch on stilts. “The government is not ready to see reason and go for the bypass on stilts. Land filling of the flood prone low lying wetlands of Margao and Benaulim will destroy the ecology and environment of the villages. The government was only ready to build additional water drainages, which would not be adequate to meet the requirements during the monsoons”, she said.
Royla pointed out that the bypass on stilts is the only solution to save the ecology and environment of Benaulim and Seraulim “Just imagine that the government is taking the bypass right through the Tolleabandh lake. This is ridiculous when the people are cultivating fields and the earthen embankment right through the lake would destroy the ecology and result in inundation”, she said.
