Villagers red-flag commercial housing plans along Margao Western Bypass

Panaji: Proposals in Margao’s outline development plan (ODP) for commercial zones and settlement areas along the city’s Western Bypass have irked citizens and activists, who said that environmental and climate change concerns far outweigh the gains accruing from them.
The ODP shows, among other sites, parcels of cultivable area, flood plains of the Sal river, and other land in the flood-prone zone of the bypass earmarked for special commercial and settlement zones.
Similarly, commercial and settlement zones with varying floor area ratios (FAR) and public, semi-public, government, institutional, and religious sites are also proposed in this eco-fragile land and elsewhere.
“Such unplanned city development without proper drainage systems can have dangerous effects during the rainy season. When any development is planned, it is important to ensure the safety of the building, its occupants, and people in nearby areas,” said Jack Mascarenhas, president of Goyche Fuddle Pilge Khatir, a voluntary organisation.
For over a decade, residents of a few villages have been agitating for a bypass on stilts. At an inspection of the bypass route with the authorities a fortnight ago, when the stretch witnessed unprecedented flooding, AAP MLA Venzy Viegas blamed the road work and clogged waterways for the monsoon ills. WRD officials later agreed to recommend a bypass on stilts in Benaulim.
“This route is a catchment for Margao and nearby villages. Earlier, flooding would occur at Benaulim’s Tolleabandh sometimes. But due to landfilling and as people blame climate change, the problem is worsening,” said Roque Fernandes, an activist.
With the huge bypass embankment acting like a dam, more reclamation for development may have severe ramifications, said villagers. “This (reclamation) requires huge quantities of mud, and its procurement itself will have environmental costs, as a hill will have to be flattened or scooped out,” said Savio Coutinho, former Margao Municipal Council chairperson.
Others question the concept of commercial zones in the Margao ODP at scattered locations. “The idea of commercial zones without identifying a central business district (CBD) like Patto in Panaji amounts to arbitrary planning. CBD requires financial and infrastructure support, and risks have to be studied. A location in low-lying areas has environmental risk, risk to investment, and other problems,” said Elsa Fernandes, an environmental architect.
SGPDA chairman Krishna Daji Salkar said that the matter is being studied. “Wherever steps are required to stop the damage, we will intervene. Our minister is also of the same opinion and has told us to be careful about the ODPs,” said Salkar.
Villagers and others advise caution on more reclamations. “Paddy fields have been reclaimed for the new district hospital, collectorate, wholesale fish market, bus stand, and adjacent areas without proper drainage to the Sal river. Blockage of rainwater caused flooding in Seraulim recently, ” said Kevin de Souza, a Seraulim-based activist.
“The effect of this work (bypass) is being experienced through severe flooding along its entire stretch. If the authorities go ahead with more development, then it could be termed a manmade disaster instead of a natural calamity,” said Coutinho.