NT Reporter
Margao
The Ministry of road Transport & Highway (Regional Office Maharashtra, Goa, Daman & Diu), Navi Mumbai, has directed the Public Works Department (NH), Goa, to examine a fresh memorandum submitted by Chinchinim panchayat seeking a bypass on stilts at Dandeawaddo.
Earlier this week, sarpanch Frank Viegas led a delegation to the regional office of the ministry in Navi Mumbai, and submitted a copy of the no-objection certificate issued by Chinchinim comunidade, describing it as the last hope for a bypass instead of an elevated road cutting through the village.
In its memorandum, the panchayat has sought construction of a bypass on stilts along NH 66 at Dandeawaddo and also attached gram sabha resolutions passed in 2008 and 2009 in support of the demand.
These resolutions reflected the consensus of residents from Bandfoll, Dandeawaddo, and Mingoll.
Reacting to the ministry’s direction, Viegas said the panchayat welcomed the prompt response from the chief engineer of
the ministry.
He said the panchayat delegation, along with villagers, would also meet PWD Minister Digambar Kamat to apprise him of
the situation.
“The villagers had met Kamat in the past, however, with the comunidade granting the NoC, we are hopeful that the Goa government will intervene and build the highway on stilts, which will avoid congested areas and leave scope for future expansion,”
said Viegas.