MARGAO: As Benaulim locals expressed full faith in the given assurance pertaining to the demand to build western bypass on stilts, Minister for Public Works Department Nilesh Cabral said the government is yet to find the technical solution to the issue.
He also said that the solution will be found in the next few days.
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On the sideline of an inspection held on Thursday at Nagmoddem, Navelim, with regard to ongoing work of laying sewer pipeline, Cabral told Herald that he respects the sentiments of Benaulim locals; demanding western bypass on stilts and to save the destruction of the environment.
“We need to find a technical solution to the demands put forth by the people of Benaulim. At the same time, we must not forget that the High Court is monitoring construction of the western bypass and the National Green Tribunal has given its order,” he stated.
He said that his interference in the matter is not the solution, but at the same time he respects the people’s sentiments.
“I am with the people’s sentiments, and hence we will find out some solution which we have not found yet, but will find it in the next few days,” the Environment Minister assured.
Earlier, the Committee for the Western Bypass on Stilts at Benaulim had expressed their full faith in the assurance given by the Minister and had appealed to work unitedly in order to achieve the goals.
It may be recalled that public spat between the PWD Minister and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas was found to be unpleasant to few of the core workers fighting for the western bypass on stilts.
They had even expressed worry that such heated arguments will divert people’s attention from the main issue.
However, people of Benaulim are still waiting for a solution from the government that will prevent the destruction of the environment and ecology if the western bypass is not built on stilts.
Taking into consideration the approach of the PWD Minister, a technical solution is to be finalised, keeping in mind the sentiments of the people. However, the question that remains is that whether his ‘technical solution’ will respect the sentiments of the people.
