Team Herald
MARGAO: Upset over the government’s reclamation works underway in low-lying fields and water bodies in Benaulim for the construction of the Western Bypass, farmers from the village met the Sarpanch on Thursday, for an update on the issue.
The farmers group sought to know the status of the petition that the villagers have urged the panchayat to file in the court, to stop work on the controversial stretch.
The locals have been demanding that the bypass be built on stilts, in order to save the village’s biodiversity and the wetlands and spare local residents the devastation that would be caused if the bypass is built on embankments constructed in these low-lying catchment areas.
The farmers said they are also concerned about the ongoing land-filling activities as they will be the first to suffer. “If the panchayat delays approaching the court, there will be nothing to stop the government from filling up the Tolleabandh area, which is already prone to flooding during the monsoon,” said the farmers.
Sarpanch Xavier Pereira assured the farmers that the panchayat is going to approach the court shortly.
“The panchayat is also in contact with a lawyer and resource person for advice regarding the legal route and the processes involved,” said Pereira, adding that suggestions will be sought on the way ahead doe the panchayat, at the meeting of the Western Bypass Committee that has been convened on Friday at 4 pm.
