the goan I network
MARGAO
Claiming that the centre has turned down the State government’s proposal to build the Western bypass on stilts along the flood-prone areas of Salcete given the huge financial implications, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Saturday said he will discuss the
issue with Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on how to go about the construction work.
The PWD Minister further said that the consultant is presently undertaking the work of alignment of the Karmal ghat-Margao stretch of the highway widening work.
The PWD Minister said that a kilometre of the bypass on stilts will cost the centre around Rs 350 crore, adding ‘the centre is not willing to provide additional funds to the tune of over Rs 1000 crore to build the 3.5 km bypass on stilts”.
“I am ready to start work on the Western bypass anytime, but some people have been opposing the it on grounds that earthen embankments will displace flood waters and result in flooding. This perception of the public is not correct as the government headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has recommended additional culverts or mini
bridges along the flood plains of river Sal to overcome the flooding problem,” Sudin told the media on the sidelines of a function in the city here on Saturday.
He pointed out that the flood plains of river Sal did not witness major flooding this monsoon, adding that additional culverts proposed by the government will take care of flooding.
When his attention was drawn to the fact that work on the three-kilometre stretch between Seraulim and Benaulim has not resumed till date, the PWD Minister said the government is ready to start work anytime. And, he hastened to add that agitation by the people has forced the government to go slow on the execution of the project.
When questioned whether the government has planned any way out to resolve the imbroglio, Sudin said, “I am having a meeting with the Union Minister at Nagpur later this month. The issue over the construction of the Western bypass will be discussed with the Union Minister”.
Meanwhile, Sudin said the PWD will take up the highway widening work between Karmal ghat and Margao only after the consultant completes work on the road alignment.
