Navelim gram sabha opposes NH-17 widening
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO AUG 1
The Navelim gram sabha on Sunday opposed the widening of the NH-17 and resolved that the Central government should build the 6/4 lane highway directly from Maharashtra to Karnataka by bypassing Goa.
Gram Sabha members said that Goa is a tiny State with land admeasuring 3702 square kilometers and already has high density of existing roads, adding that the proposed highway would only bring disaster to Goa as the State does not require unnecessary traffic from North India heading to Karnataka, Kerala.
Members said the proposed highway will not benefit from it and eventually destroy its environment. “Konkan Railway carries goods, loaded trucks and passengers from North to South and much of the business is carried out and major load of transportation is taken care of”, informed social activist, Sidharth Karapurkar.
He pointed out that traffic load in Goa is mostly between Mapusa and Margao which needs to be looked into. “A study shows that after Thivim Industrial Estate in the north and Navelim in south the traffic is low and hence does not require broadening of 45 mts. Instead, a 5-meter road should be sufficient. Whereas Mapusa to Margao needs a broader road and the existing land for 30 mts which is already acquired by government can be utilised for broadening and even 6-lane can be fitted in 30 mts. Hence, new acquisition should be stopped”, he added.
Karapurkar further said the road passes through eco sensitive area of River Sal and the wetlands attached to it which will be destroyed once the road is constructed.
Other issues discussed were garbage and its handling. After much discussions, it was decided to look out for a plot for garbage disposal, but pending the final solution, members decided that wet garbage should be composted at home.
In this respect, the gram sabha decided that all buildings should be instructed to dispose off wet garbage by composting, adding that Panchayat should collect the plastic waste.
A proposal was received to acquire land for broadening of road in front of Navelim church which was rejected outright.
Sarpanch Paul Pereira said that the gram sabha has resolved to issue notices to landlords keeping tenants to set up composting pits in their property, adding that the Panchayat would impose fines if the fail to do so.
