CANACONA: With a hue and cry raised over increasing number of accidents on the narrow and winding NH66 road between Canacona and Balli, the road is being at last proposed by authorities for widening.
The wild trees existing on the land on either side of the road proposed for road widening are even painted with numbers which await felling as the tree cutting process is at various stages of completion.
Upon learning that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has applied for clearing a huge number of endemic trees from Gulem in Canacona to Balli in Quepem for 4 laning of the NH66 road, locals have got together under the banner of ‘Save The Karmalghat’ with a request to the authorities to look for alternatives eventually to save the trees from getting cut.
The ‘Save the Karmalghat’ has approached experts and environmentalists who have promised to lend a helping hand to the efforts of this group to preserve the forests.
The group members are using social media like Facebook and WhatsApp to drive home their view point and to galvanise support to their cause since this month.
While on one hand with accidents happening on a daily basis between Canacona and Balli stretch of NH66, the road itself which is treacherous and dangerous, to say the least, needs immediate attention. But the move by the local might further delay the road widening process or it might get temporarily stopped.
On the other hand, those favouring the road widening argue that alternate route would involve digging tunnels or bridges on stilts, both of which will incur huge costs.
Abhijit Prahudesai from Canacona has already voiced his opposition last year to this road widening by cutting trees.
Prabhudesai has also written a letter to the Chief Engineer (CE) (roads, highways and bridges) requesting him to protect the part of the Western Ghats in Canacona and Quepem talukas through which the NH66 passes.
In his letter, Prabhudesai has petitioned the CE to ensure that the Karmalghat section of the Western Ghats be preserved by constructing a tunnel for the NH66 instead of carrying out the widening of the existing alignment.
Prabhudesai mentioned the number of petitions made by various groups of concerned citizens and organisations which are pending before the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for inclusion of this area within the ESA of the Western Ghats, which are to be finally notified in the near future.
As an alternative to road widening, ‘Save the Karmalghat’ members are suggesting construction of a tunnel parallel to the existing Konkan railroad.
A total of about 14 kilometers of proposed four lane road passes through forest.
With NHAI already building a 9km Nashri road tunnel costing Rs 3720 crore in Jammu and Kasmir, the longest in the country, the Karmalghat section which is more than 9 km can have the distinction of becoming the country’s longest tunnel.
This will not only save the forest trees from getting cut but also save motor vehicle fuel in the long run say the green activists.
Sandesh Telekar who is in the forefront of this agitation while emphasising the need to opt for a road tunnel or a bridge on stilts said that they as individuals want development.
