MARGAO
This is not the first time that the Water Resources Department (WRD) has dished out warning signals to the government and authorities that construction of the western bypass sans stills will result in the inundation of the floodplains of river Sal.
In fact, the WRD had in its report compiled in 2019 had taken a clear stand that the western bypass should be built on stilts considering the long-term damage to agricultural land and biodiversity. Sadly, the 2019 WRD report seemed to have not taken cognizance of the NGT-constituted panel of experts while coming out with its findings on the bypass.
Besides recommending construction of the bypass on stilts, the WRD had suggested a host of suggestions and recommendations for a proper drainage system to prevent flooding in the low-lying areas of Benaulim during monsoons.
The WRD had also called for putting an alternate system in place to keep alive and continue the agriculture activities since water bodies (ponds/ tanks) are likely to be damaged permanently by the bypass construction.
