Team Herald
MARGAO: Even as the people of Benaulim are still optimistic that their demand for the Western Bypass to be built on stilts will be fulfilled, they plan to submit a memorandum to the Union Minister of Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who will be in Goa to inaugurate the first phase of the new Zuari Bridge on December 26.
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On Thursday the Committee for Western Bypass on Stilts, and a few social activists held a meeting at Benaulim to decide the next course of action.
On Wednesday, a delegation from the village had met Public Works Department Minister Nilesh Cabral to discuss their demand, and the Minister had explained to them the revised plan of building more culverts for the smooth flow of water, instead of stilts.
The group plans to explain to Gadkari the reason for the bypass on stilts at Benaulim, and highlight the destruction to the environment and ecology if their demand is ignored. The Banalkars may also hold a silent protest at the site, to draw the attention of the Union Minister. They have also decided to approach the National Green Tribunal and challenge the High Court order mandating the speedy completion of the bypass before the Supreme Court, to buy more time.
The Committee is of the strong opinion that extra culverts and repairs to the existing culverts on the road from Benaulim to Varca is not a solution. They want the remaining 650 metre- stretch of the bypass to be built on stilts.
