MAPUSA
Motorists travelling along the National Highway-66 stretch at Bambolim will face traffic diversions for five hours in the early hours of Sunday, October 25, as the Public Works Department (PWD) undertakes the lifting of the foot overbridge near the Holy Cross Shrine.
The traffic restrictions will be in force from 1 am to 6 am between chainage 524.100, near the Bambolim Military Camp Ground, and chainage 524.600, near the Holy Cross Shrine. The work involves raising the foot overbridge to enhance vertical clearance and its erection along the highway.
The Executive Engineer of PWD’s Works Division VII (National Highways) has announced the diversion plan, while the North Goa District Magistrate has issued a notification regulating vehicular movement during the operation.
For light vehicles travelling from Panaji towards Agassaim, two alternative routes have been prescribed. Motorists can travel from Merces Circle to Pilar Junction via the Old Goa road, or take the route from Merces Circle to Goa Velha via the Military Camp at Merces.
Heavy commercial vehicles heading towards Margao will be diverted from Merces Circle via Old Goa and Ponda.
For light vehicles travelling from Agassaim towards Panaji, the designated alternatives are the route from Goa Velha Junction to Bambolim via Siridao road and Grand Hyatt, or from Agassaim Junction towards Panaji via Pilar and Old Goa.
Heavy commercial vehicles travelling towards Panaji will have to take either the route from Margao via Ponda or from Verna Junction via Loutolim and Ponda.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire services, will be allowed to use the original NH-66 route and service road and will not be affected by the diversion. Police services will also be covered under the provisions for emergency movement.
The District Magistrate has directed that appropriate signboards be installed at strategic locations to guide motorists, while all diversion points must be adequately illuminated during the night. Barricades and diversion materials must be marked with fluorescent paint or tape to ensure visibility.
The contractor has also been directed to deploy adequate traffic marshals at strategic locations to facilitate the movement of machinery and logistics and ensure smooth traffic management during the work.
Motorists have been advised to follow the prescribed diversion routes and traffic instructions during the five-hour operation.
