The Village Panchayat of Chinchinim–Deussua has renewed its demand for a bypass at Dandeavaddo on National Highway 66, submitting a memorandum to the Chief Engineer of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH) Regional Office at Belapur, Navi Mumbai. The panchayat delegation, led by Sarpanch Frank Viegas, also handed over a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chinchinim comunidade, consenting to the construction of the bypass.
The panchayat stressed that the bypass was not a new demand but a long-pending plea of the villagers, who have repeatedly voiced concerns over traffic congestion and threats to their safety and quality of life. “Only the Dandeavaddo bypass can bring true relief and restore safety and dignity to their daily lives,” said Sarpanch Frank Viegas.
Through the memorandum, they recalled that as far back as 2008 and 2009, both the panchayat and gram sabha had passed resolutions backing the bypass, with strong support from the residents of Bandfoll, Dandeavaddo and Mingfoll wards. It pointed out that land was acquired as early as 1989, displacing several families, and argued that a bypass would prevent further congestion in the heart of Chinchinim while leaving scope for future highway expansion.
“The proposed bypass avoids the most congested areas and addresses the concerns of our villagers. With the comunidade’s No Objection now in place, we urge you to initiate necessary and positive action,” the memorandum signed by Viegas stated.
This matter has been repeatedly raised before both the state and central governments, but villagers insist their concerns remain unaddressed. Earlier this year, the issue gained fresh urgency when the central government approved the State’s proposal to extend the Verna flyover, prompting villagers to argue that their own case for a bypass deserved equal attention.
While the Public Works Department (PWD) has previously examined different alignments for a bypass, the panchayat continues to insist that only a stilted bypass at Dandeavaddo will bring lasting relief. With the latest representation now before MoRTH’s regional office, villagers are waiting to see if the government will finally act on the long-standing demand.