Suspense over Western Bypass from Seraulim to Varca worries Benaulikars

BENAULIM: Benaulim constituency consisting seven villages of Seraulim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Orlim, Carmona and Cavelossim has an electorate base of close to 29,000 voters and has a variety of issues that the locals want to be addressed and resolved.

One of the major issues in the coastal belt is the proposed construction of the western bypass that would cover the area from Seraulim to Varca.

The villagers, who had opposed the original plan for the construction and demanded that it be built on stilts, warned that the construction could not only lead to the flooding of low-lying areas but that it would also damage the biodiversity of the area, water bodies, the floodplains of River Sal, etc.

While the matter had reached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), upon whose directions a ten-member committee was formed, following which inspections were conducted and alternatives were suggested by concerned government departments, the locals are still asking for clarity about the details of these new plans. The nationalisation of River Sal has also created anxiety amongst the locals especially about its possible consequences both on land and in the river.

The locals are quite skeptical of the government as it is.

Take for instance, the retaining wall that was constructed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) that had collapsed and damaged the neighbouring fields badly. Elsewhere, when the side of the roads was dug for laying of the sewerage network in Colva, people were upset with the manner in which the roads were left dishevelled.

Speaking on digging, locals have called for replacement of the asbestos water pipeline, which they say is about 40 years old and has perennial leaking valves and chambers. 

One of the biggest complaints from these villages is frustrating regular power cuts and locals have demanded that underground cabling be taken up in the constituency urgently to solve these issues. 

Locals also pointed out to demands of another large chunk of the population – the youth. They believe there needs to be greater employment opportunities as well as access to professional certified training and facilities including a modern library that can help the youngsters.

Yet another important part of the population, the fishing community, have felt the government should look at providing them with more space to dry their catch, nets etc, and that the abandoned Benaulim prawn hatchery could have been utilised for this purpose. 

Finally, another major demand amongst the locals is the need for more health facilities such as a fully-equipped hospital with diagnostic and elder care facilities as the present infrastructure is inadequate and at a distance to all of them and they point out that in cases of emergencies, this is of utmost importance.