CANACONA: Realising the multi-fold increase in vehicular traffic on NH66 in South Goa, viz a viz the demand from all sides to make the highway broader and safer to commuters, the authorities have proposed to carry out road widening in the area.
However, environmental activist, Abhijit Prabhudesai on learning that at least 13 thousands trees need to be cut for this, has made a petition suggesting construction of a tunnel instead of road widening from Gulem to Padi.
The proposal to make NH66 from Margao till Polem in Canacona is at various stages of clearances and the major hurdle is the uneven hilly terrain.
There are about 13 thousand wild trees with wide canopies on either side of the road from Gulem in Canacona till Balli in Quepem through which the important road passes. With no much widening since it was constructed during Portuguese rule of Goa the road stretch has witnessed many accidents.
Upon learning that the authorities have numbered about 13 thousand trees to be felled in order to widen this road to a four lane, Prabhudesai has written a letter to the Chief Engineer (CE) (Roads, Highways and Bridges) requesting him to protect the part of Western Ghats in Canacona and Quepem talukas through which the NH66 passes.
In his letter Prabhudesai has petitioned the CE to ensure that the Karmalghat section of the Western Ghats be preserved by constructing a tunnel for the NH66 instead of carrying out the widening of the existing alignment.
To support his views Prabhudesai has submitted the fact that the Karmalghat and surrounding areas, through which the present and proposed alignment is passing is a part of the critical ridge of the Western Ghats.
Prabhudesai further mentioned the number of petitions made by various groups of concerned citizens and organisations which are pending before the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for inclusion of this ecologically sensitive area within the ESA of the Western Ghats, which are to be finally notified in the near future.
The Karmalghat is a ridge of high, steep mountains extending east to west from the main ridges of the Western Ghats.
As an alternative to road widening and eventual destruction of flora, Prabhudesai has suggested construction of a tunnel parallel to the existing KRC tunnel which will avoid the impact the road widening will have on Western Ghats, the endemic forests, the wildlife, the environment and the local communities.
Speaking to Herald regarding his letter , Prabhudesai said that the world is opting for destruction of environment in the name of development; everyone needs development but not by destroying the environment, he said.
“We may save a few crores by opting for widening of the existing alignment but a day will come we will have to spend hundreds of crores to undo the damage which we mindlessly inflict on our mother earth”, expressed Prabhudesai.
