Team Herald
VASCO: Public Works Department (PWD) National Highway division officials have identified 600 trees that will be cut to make way for widening of the road from Cortalim junction to Chicalim junction on NH17 A road. The department has acquired over two metres of land on both the sides of the existing road. The cutting of trees will commence on Monday.
“We have identified about 600 trees that need to be cut for this road widening project. We had applied for permission a while ago for the cutting of the identified trees. However, after several complications, we received permission from the Forest Department to cut down these trees and from Monday we will start work so that it can be completed before the monsoon hits us. Attempts are also being made to save at least 200 trees out of 600,” said Technical Assistant PWD (NH) Vincent D’Souza.
Meanwhile serious concerns have been raised by citizens over the proposed plan. Locals fear it might lead to massive landslides during the monsoons, if the PWD authorities fail to provide any retaining wall along the excavated portion of the hillock.
“We feel the 8.5 km stretch of road on NH17 A which is being widened has become a death trap for two reasons. There are
dangerous trees which are on the edge following the excavation work. Similarly as the PWD has excavated a portion of the hillock, there is no sign of any retaining wall along the excavated portion thus increasing the possibility of landslides taking place during the forthcoming monsoons,” said Vasco-based social activist Preetam Keluskar.
The officials of the Sancoale Village Panchayat said if any untoward incident due to trees falling or landslides occurs then the PWD officials should be held responsible.“We feel the PWD authorities should have properly planned the widening works on such important road which connects the port city and is used by hundreds of commuters every day. Presently the way works have been taken up it only shows that they have undertaken road widening works under some hurry,” said Ramakant Borkar, administrator of Sancoale Village Panchayat.
