Team Herald
MARGAO: In an order, the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Principal Bench, New Delhi has asked the State administration to set up a 10-member committee to study the proposal to construct 2.75-kmlong Western Bypass through Benaulim and Seraulim.
The NGT in its order in the case filed by Royla Fernandes against the State of Goa has asked the following to be members of committee namely SEIAA, Goa State Biodiversity Board, Goa State Wetland Authority, PWD, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, District Magistrate South Goa, Water Resources Department, Goa State Pollution Control Board, nominee of National Wetland Authority and nominee of PCCF. Goa will co-ordinate and comply.
Pronounced via video conferencing, the NGT observed that M/s M Venkata Rao Infra Projects Pvt Ltd., Caranzalem is constructing the 2.75-km long Western Bypass through Seraulim to Varca.
It noted that the stretch from Nuvem to Seraulim has already been done and now it is proposed to construct the road over wetlands despite the locals objecting to the same as they fear several houses would be damaged.
Under the new cost sharing agreement, Goa would pay Rs 133 crore and the Centre Rs 40 crore.
Royla had pointed out that famous water bodies such as Komla Tollem and Vhoddlem Tollem in Benaulim would be damaged by this work.
A joint inspection was held on December 18, 2019 and the Agriculture Department’s report clearly indicated that “large scale land filling has been done for the construction of the Western Bypass” while in other areas there is no outlet for water.
Besides, the Water Resources Department noted that sewage water from River Sal has been diverted to the area which has caused water logging.
