PANAJI
The traffic management plan for when the work begins for the elevated corridor at Porvorim, is ready, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said while responding to a query from a citizen on his monthly "Hello Goenkar" phone-in programme telecast live on the Panaji Doordarshan channel.
The plan includes diverting heavy vehicles at Banda in Maharashtra itself and directed to an alternative route via Assonora. The Mapusa to Panaji section of the national highway will be a 'no go' zone for heavy vehicles, he said.
Sawant also said, that roads will be widened on the sides wherever possible to resolve the traffic congestion which is bound to take place when the execution of the elevated corridor commences.
In the 'Hello Goenkar' programme, Sawant answers questions posed by callers.
The foundation stone for the elevated corridor at Porvorim was laid recently by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and once the work begins within the next month or two, it could lead to traffic snarls of the kind witnessed on the Panaji-Margao and Panaji-Vasco routes during the construction of the eight-lane Zuari bridge and the connecting flyovers.
Sawant said, the Betim-Panaji ferry route will also be put to optimum use during the period.
Meanwhile, responding to other questions, Sawant said the Goa Staff Selection Commission has commenced functioning and issued the first recruitment advertisement recently.
He also announced that another advertisement for recruiting assistant teachers will be issued soon which will be done by the GSSC with a computer based test.
On sand mining, Sawant said that the Department of Mining and Geology is in the process of issuing leases in sections of the Chapora river but it will not be possible in the Mandovi, Zuari and Terekhol rivers for now.
Mechanical sand mining permits will not be issued he said, adding that only the traditional, manual methods will be permitted. He also said, that the shortage faced in sand is being sought to be overcome by permitting transportation from Maharashtra and Karnataka in a regulated manner by the mines department.
