MARGAO
This should hopefully open the eyes of the Goa government as well as the Union Surface Transport Ministry as officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD), Public Works Department (PWD) as well as the district administration have publicly rooted for the construction of the western bypass passing through Benaulim on stilts.
As flooding at the Tolleaband water body in Benaulim rose dangerously on Wednesday noon, prompting the administration to put in place a disaster plan to evacuate the inhabitants from the adjoining bandh, senior officials of the WRD, Assistant Engineer Gypson, PWD Swapnil Desai and Margao Deputy Collector, Uday Prabhudesai were categorical in saying that only a bypass on stilts can avoid flood situation in Benaulim.
The opinion given by these three authorities during a flood risk assessment inspection arranged by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that the Goa government and the Centre virtually ignored to hear the pleas of Benaulikars and people of adjoining villages to build the bypass on stilts.
WRD Assistant Engineer Gipson told the media on the banks of Tolleaband that he fully agrees with the demands of the villagers.
“There’s no doubt that the bypass passing through Benaulim should be built on stilts. The water level at Tolleaband water body has increased manifold compared to last year. I fully agree that the bypass should be built on stilts," Gipson said while saying he would compile a report on the flood situation at Benaulim.
PWD senior engineer Swapnil Desai also echoed similar sentiments, saying building the bypass on stilts is a good option considering the future requirements.
Sub-divisional Magistrate, Margao and Deputy Collector Uday Prabhudesai said he and his team of officials believe that the bypass should be built on stilts. “Though the issue is technical in nature and has to be dealt with by the PWD and WRD, the situation at Tolleaband shows that the bypass road is required to be built on stilts. The WRD and PWD engineers have agreed that the bypass be built on stilts. We also feel that the bypass should be built on stilts," Prabhudesai said.
Officials of the three authorities are expected to submit their respective reports on the flood situation at Tolleaband.
Benaulim sarpanch Xavier Pereira told the media that his panchayat has filed a petition before the High Court with a plea to build the bypass on stilts, adding that it would submit the report of Wednesday's inspection to the High Court.
Flood risk assessment findings matches results of last year
MARGAO
It’s a sheer coincidence that flood risk assessment findings by the Water Resources Department on the flood situation at Tolleaband exactly a year ago on July 5 last year matched with the inspection carried out by the authorities on Wednesday.
The flood risk assessment inspection called by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas on July 5 last year and July 5 this year showed that the water level at the Tolleaband was almost the same again, throwing up questions over the indifference on the part of the government to listen to the pleas of the villagers.
“What we had seen exactly on July 5 last year and on Wednesday at Tolleaband is almost the same. The situation is the same, the river Sal is flowing in full spate, there’s no respite from the heavy rainfall and the Tolleaband water catchment area is full,” Venzy said.
He, however, lamented that the government of the day has not taken cognisance of the hardships faced by the people of Benaulim.
Venzy sought to know whether the people who are waging a battle in support of the bypass on stilts do not belong to his government. “Are we all outsiders that we have to go to Court to get justice? Why is the government not listening to our prayers for bypass on stilts,” he demanded to know.
Pele descends into Tolleaband with jet ski to gauge floodwater depth
MARGAO
Benaulim fisherman Pele Fernandes did it again on Wednesday as he descended into the Tolleaband water body with his jet ski to gauge the depth of the flood water level with the help of a wooden stick.
Last year too, Pele had accompanied the officials on his motorboat in the Tolleaband water body to ascertain the depth of the water, which later facilitated the WRD department to compile a report in support of the construction of the bypass on stilts.
Pele told the media that he has come to lend a helping hand to his fellow Benaulim villagers by ascertaining the water level with the help of his jet ski. “We have found that the depth of the water level was around two metres. We had found an almost similar water level situation at the water body last year,” he added.
