Team Herald
MARGAO: The Public Works Department (PWD) on Thursday continued with the land filling activity at Mungul for the proposed Western Bypass project leaving the residents confused.
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The department engaged labourers and trucks for the land filling activity, despite strong opposition from the locals and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas.
Locals informed Herald that several trucks were seen on Thursday at Mungul continuing with the land filling activity.
“We are confused, as nobody knows why the land filling work is carried out by the department. We have sought an appointment with the concerned PWD officials to seek clarification on the issue,” said Savio Fernandes, a local.
He fears that the land filling will surely lead to flooding during monsoon.
It may be recalled that the then PWD minister Deepak Pauskar along with Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had visited the site, following complaints from locals pertaining to the land filling activity. The minister had assured the people that mud will be removed before monsoon.
However, people were shocked to witness that the PWD continued with the land filling activity, despite government’s assurances.
On the other hand, there is no hearing of the case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in recent days on a petition filed by Royla Fernandes.
According to sources, the NGT has not taken up the issue of the western bypass for hearing, which is considered as important in view of the new proposed plan prepared by the PWD, on the deliberations from a 10-member committee.
The residents opine that Mungul, besides Seraulim will submerge, if the mud is not removed before monsoon.
It is pertinent to note that the recommendation of the new proposal of the 10-member expert committee appointed by the government upon the directions of the NGT is yet to be approved.
The authorities and the then PWD minister were confident that the same will be approved. However, they too appeared clueless if the proposal was rejected.
Petitioner Royla Fernandes is also confused as there is no hearing before the NGT, which will decide the fate of the project.
The then PWD minister had assured that the near 980-metre stretch will be built on stilts. Later, the mud dumped in the low-lying area at Mungul will be removed. However, taking into consideration the latest development, it appears that the residents of the concerned areas need to get ready to face the worst during monsoon.
