PWD minister turns down bypass on stilts request due to fund constraints
the goan I network
MARGAO
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Deepak Pauskar on Tuesday told the people of Benaulim that the government will take up additional works, including box culverts on the flood prone 2.75 km stretch of the Western bypass at an additional cost of Rs 154 crore, but turned down the request of building the bypass on stilts due to fund constraints.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao welcomed the government decision, but insisted on the desilting of the River Sal. Both the PWD Minister and the Benaulim MLA have decided to ask the Chief Minister to call a joint meeting of various government departments on Monday at 11 am, including Captain of Ports, River Navigation and Water Resources department to discuss on River Sal desilting.
The Benaulim MLA brought the PWD Minister, NH officials and the bypass contractor to the site at Benaulim on Tuesday noon to take stock of the drainage works proposed by the government to take care of flooding of the low-lying areas of Benaulim and Seraulim.
After much discussions, the PWD minister has agreed to take up additional culverts and a couple of wide culverts for smooth flow of rain water during the monsoons at the Benaulim stretch near the Varca road.
Churchill, however, insisted on his one point demand to first desilt the River Sal before taking up the work on the bypass, saying failure to desilt the river will inundate the low-lying areas during monsoons.
PWD Minister Pauskar later told the media that the government does not want to bulldoze with the bypass along the problematic stretch. He informed that the government will take up additional works to the tune of Rs 154 crore on the 2.75 km stretch between Seraulim and Benaulim to take care of flooding. When asked about the funding of the additional works amounting to Rs 154 crore, the PWD Minister said the PWD, National Highway will tender these works for the moment, making it clear that the State government will approach the Central government for funds for the additional works.
He, however, asserted that the State government will tender and take up the additional works irrespective of the decision of the Centre.
He made it clear that the Western bypass and all other works on the NH 66 between Canacona to Patradevi will be completed by December 2020.
Former Benaulim Sarpanch Royla Fernandes, a group of Benaulim villagers, including Agnelo Fernandes drew attention of the PWD minister to the environmental and ecological disaster that would take place at Benaulim if the Western bypass is not built on stilts.
He said people have abandoned some fields since they are inundated during monsoons, and wondered how the farmers will cultivate the fields when the low-lying areas are being filled up to make way for the bypass.
A resident Joe Rebello also questioned and protested with the the PWD, NH officials over the works being carried out in his property by not keeping any safeguards.
