Team Herald
MARGAO: Residents of Cuncolim have voiced concerns about the potential loss of their homes due to the proposed Cuncolim road bypass, a part of the Kanyakumari-Mumbai National Highway expansion project.
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They are calling on the state government to intervene and prevent the demolition of their houses, which have been built with years of hard work and savings.
The proposed bypass, designed to expand the Kanyakumari-Mumbai National Highway, is planned to begin from the Uskini bandh before merging with the existing highway at Balli. However, many residents have expressed fears that the new alignment will encroach upon their properties.
Alison Fernandes, one of the affected residents, spoke to reporters about the impending threat to his home, which he had built with his savings in 1996. Alison’s house, nearing its 30th anniversary in 2026, could be demolished as part of the project.
“I built this house with all my savings, and it may be taken down before it could even complete 30 years. My dreams of pursuing agriculture after retirement are now at risk,” he said.
Along with other residents whose homes face partial or total demolition, Alison has appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the district collectors to consider shifting the alignment of the bypass to avoid destroying homes.
Alison emphasized that the proposed bypass would not only affect his house but also his agricultural aspirations. “I had developed my property for agriculture after retirement. The planned road will wipe out my plantations and my future plans,” he explained.
The proposed alignment passes through low-lying areas, which Alison warns could result in severe flooding.
“A better route could be on the southern side, as the river runs to the west. The current alignment risks flooding the area, and a retention wall could make the situation worse,” he said.
He further cautioned that more houses would be affected by flooding, even if his property was the primary one at risk. “It would be a disaster for the people living on the southern side of the proposed road, and such a catastrophe must be avoided,” Alison urged.
With the clock ticking, residents are calling on the state government to reconsider the road’s alignment, ensuring that both development and the well-being of the community are prioritized.
