Panaji: Embroiled in a controversy over opposition from locals, the 11.9km Western Bypass project near Margao is finally nearing completion and is expected to be officially inaugurated next month. The project was constructed at a cost of Rs 298 crore with funding from the Centre. The project’s progress was under the high court’s review.
The Western Bypass was first planned around two decades ago as a parallel road to carry traffic efficiently without further congesting the increasingly crowded Margao town area. The stretches along Nuvem and parts of Margao were already opened for traffic earlier.
Work is being completed now on the remaining stretch of Benaulim-Mungul-Seraulim, spanning around 2.7km.
The project starts at Nuvem and passes through the villages of Seraulim, Benaulim, Telaulim, Navelim, and areas of Margao. On completion, it is expected to result in hassle-free journeys for the locals and tourists.
The project faced delays following vehement demands from Seraulim and Benaulim locals to build that stretch of the road on stilts, alleging that flooding is taking place due to the project in the area. Locals say it is necessary to construct the bypass on stilts to protect the wetlands and water-catchment areas surrounding the Sal river flood plains.
After a local approached the National Green Tribunal, a small stretch of the bypass along Seraulim and Mungul was constructed on stilts, based on the recommendations presented to the tribunal by an expert panel. However, a similar demand of Benaulim locals was not met by govt.
Instead, a plan to unclog the Sal was devised to mitigate flooding.
Meanwhile, the opening of the remaining stretch of the bypass for traffic along Seraulim, Mungul, and Benaulim is set to decongest Margao and Navelim areas. The Western Bypass is part of a bigger plan to decongest traffic along the Karnataka-Maharashtra national highway.
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