MAPUSA: A joint meeting was held over the National Highway 17 widening work and the filling of the Mapusa River at Guirim bypass junction at Guirim panchayat office.
It was attended by Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar, the PWD authorities, representative of the contractor and Guirim and Bastora villagers. During the meeting it was assured that the approved plan of the work to be executed at the Guirim bypass junction would be presented to the villagers.
The locals demanded that the width of the Mapusa River at Guirim junction should not be altered or its course be diverted while executing the work.
At the meeting, Saligao MLA pointed out that the officials have been instructed not to narrow the width of the river at the Guirim bypass junction.
“The people should be aware what is going on. We have told officials that they cannot narrow down the river. Development should not be carried out at the cost of the environment. This river is a lifeline; the storm water from several villages flows to this point and if it is blocked, then, there will be flooding,” Salgaonkar said.
It was decided that a detailed plan will be placed before the Aldona MLA, Bastora and Guirim panchayat as well as both the comunidades areas where the work is being executed. The PWD officials assured not to take up any work until the plan is presented to the villagers.
The Bastora Comunidade representatives opined that the highway authorities should follow a proper procedure and present their approved plan for the service road to the panchayat as well as to the local MLA.
Following this meeting, a delegation from Bastora along with the officials held another meeting with the Aldona MLA, Glenn Ticlo at Mapusa to discuss the issue.
Ticlo informed the media that he had had discussions with all the stakeholders with regards to the extension work being carried out near Hotel Green Park junction.
“I have asked the officials concerned to first demarcate the area where the work will be carried out and to provide a detailed plan to the stakeholders. Due to this work, we do not want our biodiversity to be destroyed. We do not have any objection, but want the stakeholders to be taken into confidence so that the work can be undertaken at a faster rate,” Ticlo said.
Two weeks ago, locals raised eyebrows over the filling of mud into the Mapusa River at Guirim bypass junction. The locals fear that the mud filling would divert the river.
