Claim CM’s announcement in House on stilts’ proposal will only cover Seraulim-Mungul stretch
MARGAO
At the Our Lady of Patrocinio Chapel, Puylvaddo-Benaulim, local residents and farmers participated in the Eucharistic celebration on Thursday -- to invoke the Almighty’s blessings to enlighten the minds of the government and the authorities to see reason and build the western bypass on stilts and save their fields and water bodies from destruction.
As the PWD, National Highway dumped tonnes of mud to raise an earthen embankment on the Benaulim stretch of the controversial western bypass to pave way for the road sans stilts, the farmers and residents prayed fervently along with Fr Eremito Coutinho invoking the Almighty with the hope that the government builds the balance bypass on stilts.
While Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on the floor of the House that the government would build the bypass on stilts along a stretch of 980-1022 metres, the proposal only covers the Seraulim-Mungul stretch of the bypass, leaving the entire Benaulim stretch sans stilts.
In his homily, Fr Coutinho said people are not opposed to the roads and bypasses, but the infrastructure should not lead to destruction of the environment, agricultural fields and water bodies.
Reminding the people that nothing comes on a platter and without a struggle, Fr Coutinho called for unity and united efforts to protect the village fields and the water bodies. “This movement is not something which would give one name and fame, but to save the fields of our ancestors and work for the village and the society,” he said.
Fr Coutinho added: “We have to pray to enlighten the minds of the government and the authorities that they should do what is good and benefit the society at large. “This is our government and we have to draw the attention of the government that what is happening will lead to destruction.”
Activist Roque Fernandes said the people and the farmers have offered the Mass to invoke the blessings of the Almighty to protect the environment and fields. “This is a message to all our politicians and our MLAs to support us, raise the issue in the Assembly. We have already called some of the MLAs and we have today offered the Mass to pray to the Almighty to protect our fields and environment,” Roque said.
Petitioner before the National Green Tribunal and local resident, Royla Fernandes told the media “through the Mass, we have offered to the Lord the hopes and aspirations of each and every person, including the farmers that the bypass comes on stilts. “Without the hand of God, we cannot achieve anything. Today, we have raised our hopes and aspiration on the bypass to the Altar and prayed that our plea for a bypass on stilts takes concrete shape,” she added.
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