As Benaulim disappears under water, locals demand bypass on stilts

MARGAO: With Tollebandh and surrounding areas in Benaulim getting flooded again on Friday, irate locals slammed the State government for refusing to pay heed to their long-standing demand that the western bypass traversing their village be built on stilts, and not by filling up low-lying areas.

“My appeal in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and High Court to intervene and give prime importance to environment, human life and sustainable development by designing stilts in Benaulim, was overlooked by lawmakers and justice providers. Now, nature has decided to give them a demo of its wrath! I pray that they pay heed to the warning and take the right call,” said activist Royla Fernandes.

This demand was unanimously echoed throughout the village that had to deal with the problems caused by the flooding on Friday.

While five houses at Tollebandh were inundated with water, locals said if the western bypass is built on embankments, it would not only wash away their homes but also the roads in front of their homes, which were already getting submerged under floodwater. Later on Friday, the Traffic Police put up barricades to keep motorists away from the  Tolleabhand to Khareband stretch, as it was flooded. 

Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas called the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) to help the affected families and also evacuate a recuperating patient from one of the waterlogged houses.

The main road as well as the internal roads were flooded, making it difficult for residents to travel to neighbouring villages and to Margao.

“I don’t think any more proof is required. Today, Tolllebandh and the roads nearby are flooded. This is the same area where they want to build the western bypass, for which the ground level will be raised. Can you imagine the destruction that will be caused when this happens? I will raise this issue in the Assembly and demand that the bypass be built on stilts,’ said Viegas. 

Residents of Seraulim and Mungul have also spoken up against the ongoing western bypass construction work, even though the bypass is being built on stilts in these two areas. Due to faulty design, the area near the Fatorda wholesale fish market where low-lying land has been filled with mud, is  now flooded, and the overflowing water is heading into the streets of Seraulim and Mungul, instead of flowing out into River Sal.