One arm of the new Zuari bridge was finally thrown open for vehicular traffic after the inauguration by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday. It undoubtedly greatly relieved people undergoing trauma and pain for the past six years due to traffic congestion. In addition, hundreds of people at the inaugural function applauded as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced plans for a revolving restaurant and the concept of a light and sound show at the Zuari site.
While traffic moved seamlessly on day one despite the peculiar arrangement, the deck surface brought sharp memories of the Atal Sethu, which is currently in the process of getting a new topping. There is this fear because, despite calling the bridge an architectural marvel because of the tall, imposing towers, the surface of the bridge was uneven in a few places and the side ramps that open up connecting the highway on the ground throw up a dangerous proposition.
Moreover, while a significant problem of congestion at the Cortalim junction is resolved, there is a new problem area that motorists could face. A bottleneck at Verna traffic signals could be the next hurdle, just like in Porvorim, because four lanes of the new highway converge into two lanes at Verna.
Back to the inaugural, Gadkari warmed up the hearts of Goans, saying India’s road quality will be on par with the world’s best by 2024. That was soothing to the ears of every Goan on the bridge and the thousands watching Gadkari speak because the experiences of motorists so far have been horrific and sometimes deathly. Goans are yet to feel any international experience on roads thus far, even on the new infrastructure that is now marvelled upon, leave aside the poor condition of the iconic Atal Sethu bridge that leaders once showcased with all the ‘josh’.
Perhaps Gadkari is not aware of the fact that hot mixed roads in Goa are washed away in the first showers of monsoons, and the new roads impress nobody. Perhaps, Gadkari is unaware of the condition of the newly built highways and the concrete that is wearing off. Perhaps Gadkari is not aware that the new concrete highways are not only bumpy but have also developed cracks, and portions of the top layer are wearing off already.
When we hear that the road quality will be on par with the world’s best by 2024, and we compare the infrastructure that the State has raised recently, Goa cuts out a sorry figure and is in no way even remotely comparable to international standards.
However, Goa waits in hope because a promise of international road quality has come from Gadkari, a leader whose vision for better infrastructure has held the nation in good stead since he was appointed as Minister for Road Transport and Highways in 2014. Under Gadkari, India has covered a lot of ground, moved away from the stereotypical roads and seen aesthetics with a touch of green and better designs. Goa will have its eyes on 2024.
