MARGAO: Benaulim villagers were shocked to discover that a retaining wall has been constructed inside a rivulet connected to River Sal and filled with mud as part of the ongoing construction of the Western Bypass road project near Umiya Mercado, a mall at Benaulim.
According to locals, this particular section of the rivulet serves as a crucial point for stormwater flow into River Sal. However, the reduction in size caused by the filling has sparked anxiety among residents about potential flooding during the upcoming monsoon.
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Currently, construction of the retaining wall inside the rivulet and the filling process are both underway. The continued work poses a significant threat if not halted immediately, locals insist.
It’s worth noting that for the Western Bypass project, authorities had previously acquired extensive agricultural land, which was later filled with mud. Despite citizens’ efforts to protect agricultural land and the environment, their concerns seem to have been disregarded.
The filling of the rivulet has now raised serious environmental concerns regarding the damage to the ecosystem and River Sal, considered the lifeline of Salcete.
Reacting to the situation, Rudolf Barreto, a resident and social activist from Benaulim, remarked that now is the time to rely on the mercy of God. He expressed fears about the consequences of filling the rivulet, a longstanding irrigation system, which used to collect stormwater before flowing into River Sal. Barreto emphasised that the impact of destroying the water body will be felt in the near future.
Barreto criticised the authorities for prioritising the completion of the Western Bypass project over environmental preservation. He highlighted the vast discrepancy between their actions and the ground reality.
Similarly, Savio Coutinho, former Chairperson of Margao Municipal Council, echoed these sentiments, expressing shock at the encroachment upon a rivulet flowing into River Sal for the construction of the retaining wall/embankment for the Western Bypass service road. He condemned the government’s disregard for traditional water flow paths in the area, noting that the extensive filling of low-lying fields for the bypass project has already disrupted natural water flow patterns.
Coutinho concluded by stating that despite the government’s claims of “Viksit Goa,” their actions are leading to permanent destruction in Goa.
