MARGAO: Upon the request of villagers and farmers from Benaulim, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Luizinho Faleiro urged the State government to intervene in the matter of ongoing works of western bypass project and stop damaging the paddy fields, besides devastation of the environment and ecology.
On Monday, Villagers met MP Luizinho Faleiro at his residence, Borda and urged for help in saving the environment due to western bypass project. On the other hand, it has been witnessed that filling of paddy fields and water bodies with the mud continues at Benaulim to pave way for the bypass road.
It is pertinent to note that the villagers, including farmers and environmentalists have intensified their agitation against the western bypass project by demanding the same to be built on stilts, rather than damaging the environment.
Speaking to media persons, Faleiro urged the State government to intervene in the matter and stop damaging the paddy fields, which are already cultivated by the farmers and water bodies by filling it with the mud.
“Do a scientific study with regard to environment and ecology, besides the impact on the agricultural fields before moving ahead with filling of the land with mud,” he said. He further informed that he will try to raise the issue in the Parliament after discussing with the party leaders.
“The proposed western bypass should be built on stilts as demanded by the villagers in order to avoid the damage and destruction to the environment and ecology. It will lead to devastation of our environment, and more especially the River Sal, if the western bypass is not built on stilts,” Luizinho said.
According to him the ongoing work of western bypass will affect the people and environment right from Nuvem, Fatorda, Seraulim, Benaulim and Navelim.
“And hence a scientific study is a must before moving ahead with the project with the present planning. I am not against the project but it should be done by doing proper scientific study. There is also a fear of impact on the underground water table,” he added. Caridade Fernandes, a farmer from Benaulim pleaded with the government not to destroy their paddy fields which are already cultivated.
“We have done lots of hard work to cultivate our paddy fields, which are now filled with mud by the concerned authorities in order to construct the western bypass. These paddy fields are our livelihood, as we have invested money and hard work into it,” she stated.
A Benaulim local, Rocky Fernandes said that they demand the stretch of the said western bypass to be built on stilts.
“Don’t put our lives at risk because of the cost factor. However, we will go pillar to post in order to save our agricultural fields and environment,” he stated.
Local Panch Felicia Noronhas also said that she will stand behind the people of Benaulim, as the destruction of the environment and agricultural fields continues.
