Team Herald
MARGAO: Villagers from Seraulim and Benaulim on Friday once again protested against the proposed western bypass road and demanded that it should be built on stilts.
Villagers and social activists even charged the local MLA Churchill Alemao for misguiding people on the issue.
In the evening, villagers gathered on the site of the ongoing western bypass road at Seraulim near the Wholesale Fish Market and protested against the same.
Many farmers who were present at the site claimed flooding due to the land filling for the purpose of western bypass at Seraulim.
Speaking to the media persons, social activist Royla Fernandes said that they have one point agenda and that is the stretch of proposed western bypass road from Seraulim to Varca should be built on stilts.
“We have already appealed to the government in these regards and demanded that this stretch of the western bypass should be built on stilts in order to save the environment and livelihood of the people,” she said.
Royla said that the National Green Tribunal had already directed the government and other concerned departments to work out a sustainable plan for sustainable development with regard to the western bypass project.
“We want the plan to be re-worked and people don’t want to wait for the elections. Our battle is to save the environment. This project will not only lead to flooding, but also cause disruptions to agriculture, biodiversity and it will also affect the livelihood of the people,” she stated.
Charging MLA Churchill Alemao, she said the land acquisition for the project was done at the time of Churchill holding the PWD portfolio and all are aware of it.
“The alignment of the plan was done keeping in mind the interests of Churchill. He failed to propose the western bypass project from Seraulim to Varca on stilts when he was the minister, and at the time all people were demanding the same,” Royla alleged.
Joaquim D’Souza, a farmer from Seraulim, claimed that they have stopped cultivating the agricultural land due to flooding as result of land filling for the western bypass.
“We want this road to come up but we want it on stilts. There is no point in acquiring this kind of precious lands. We don’t understand why these governments are acting in a backward manner,” said Adv Seoula Vas.
