MARGAO: Expressing full faith in the assurance given by the Minister for Public Works Department Nilesh Cabral, pertaining to the much-discussed Western Bypass and the pollution of River Sal, the Committee for the Western Bypass on stilts at Benaulim called for all the concerned stakeholders including Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, to work unitedly in order to achieve their goals.
The Committee also stated that the recent public spat between the PWD Minister and the Benaulim MLA was unpleasant and projected elected representatives in a bad light. They expressed worry that such heated arguments will divert people’s attention from the main issue; the Western Bypass on stilts. Interestingly, they also claimed that the MLA was giving them his full support for the cause.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Xavier Pereira, Sarpanch, Cana-Benaulim panchayat and Chairman of the Committee said that they stand by the PWD Minister for his assurances on finding a permanent solution to this perennial problem of raw sewage being discharged into the River Sal.
He said the sewage issue in River Sal has been going on for the past decade with discussions in every Gram Sabha meeting, wide coverage in the print and visual media, and frequent inspections by bureaucrats and Chief Ministers.
“The black water has continued flowing down the River Sal over many years, with cosmetic measures undertaken at regular intervals at a huge expense to the public exchequer. The PWD Minister turned up at the site at the end of last month and promised to plug all the sewage being released here before the end of May 2023,” said Pereira.
Stating that River Sal suddenly became extremely polluted, that too within a week of the PWD Minister’s assurances, Pereira said that the issue could have been hyped in the media because Cabralo took the ‘bold decision’ to terminate the discharge line of the Colva STP at its original location, as demanded by the Benaulim Panchayat and the farmers of the locality, insinuating that the pollution of the Sal, which has been going on for several years, has been thrust into the spotlight due to hidden political agendas.
“We are of the view that what couldn’t be achieved even after a decade cannot be completed overnight,” said the Sarpanch. Referring to the Benaulim MLA’s outburst, Rudolf Barreto, another member of the Committee added, “There was no need to make a noise when the concerned Minister had already assured to resolve the issue.” “We also urge the PWD Minister to save our environment by having the Western Bypass built on stilts at Benaulim,” added Barreto.
