MApusa
After having missed two completion deadlines, the Bastora overbridge/underpass along the NH17 is now set to miss the third one. If all goes well, it is expected to be ready only in May 2018.
Work on the project, which started in January 2016, was first scheduled to complete by June 2017. It was then pushed to December 2017 and later to March 2018.
Work on the underpass on the western side has been temporarily halted in order to felicitate the transportation of girders for the new (third) bridge across River
After having missed two completion deadlines, the Bastora overbridge/underpass along the NH17 is now set to miss the third one. If all goes well, it is expected to be ready only in May 2018.
Work on the project, which started in January 2016, was first scheduled to complete by June 2017. It was then pushed to December 2017 and later to March 2018.
Work on the underpass on the western side has been temporarily halted in order to felicitate the transportation of girders for the new (third) bridge across River
Mandovi.
The erection of the RE Panel (reinforced earth retaining wall) on the western side of the Bastora underpass has been stopped as the trailers transporting the girders find it difficult to negotiate the narrow service roads.
The concrete girders for the new Mandovi bridge are being precast at Dhargalim, which are later transported by road to the bridge site.
Sources disclosed that the RE panel erection on the eastern side has been completed, while around 70 metres of the work was over on the western side.
"Work on at least 100 metres near the Patil Saw Mill on the western side has been halted in order to felicitate the trailers transporting girders to the new Mandovi bridge," an official at the site told The Goan.
Sources further disclosed that the State government has asked the National Highway authorities to ensure smooth movement of the girders to the new Mandovi bridge.
In order to continue work on the underpass, the officials contemplated diverting trailers from the eastern side during the night but that entailed chopping off a couple of coconut trees belonging to a private owner.
"We have no other alternative but to halt the work on the underpass on the western side, which will delay the project by a couple of months," the official said.
Work on the project, which is a part of the national highway expansion plan, started in January 2016 and was first expected to be completed within 15 months by June 2017. It was then rescheduled to December 2017 and later to March 2018.
The Assistant Engineer, PWD (highways), however sought to debunk the delay stating that work was going on at full pace and the overbridge/underpass would be completed on time.
"None of this information is true. Work on the overbridge/underpass is going on as predicted and will be completed on schedule," said Eduardo Pereira, AE, PWD (highways) who is holding additional charge of Mapusa.
The project has faced some hurdles since its inception. Initially, work was delayed due to time taken to shift utility services like the water pipelines and electricity poles.
The Rs 29.42 crore overbridge/underpass is expected to give huge relief to people living in Aldona and adjoining villages from the constant traffic chaos at the Bastora junction.
The total length of the overbridge is 20 metres with a six-lane span along the highway while the 6-metre high underpass will be four-laned for vehicular movement along the Aldona-Mapusa route.
The erection of the RE Panel (reinforced earth retaining wall) on the western side of the Bastora underpass has been stopped as the trailers transporting the girders find it difficult to negotiate the narrow service roads.
The concrete girders for the new Mandovi bridge are being precast at Dhargalim, which are later transported by road to the bridge site.
Sources disclosed that the RE panel erection on the eastern side has been completed, while around 70 metres of the work was over on the western side.
"Work on at least 100 metres near the Patil Saw Mill on the western side has been halted in order to felicitate the trailers transporting girders to the new Mandovi bridge," an official at the site told The Goan.
Sources further disclosed that the State government has asked the National Highway authorities to ensure smooth movement of the girders to the new Mandovi bridge.
In order to continue work on the underpass, the officials contemplated diverting trailers from the eastern side during the night but that entailed chopping off a couple of coconut trees belonging to a private owner.
"We have no other alternative but to halt the work on the underpass on the western side, which will delay the project by a couple of months," the official said.
Work on the project, which is a part of the national highway expansion plan, started in January 2016 and was first expected to be completed within 15 months by June 2017. It was then rescheduled to December 2017 and later to March 2018.
The Assistant Engineer, PWD (highways), however sought to debunk the delay stating that work was going on at full pace and the overbridge/underpass would be completed on time.
"None of this information is true. Work on the overbridge/underpass is going on as predicted and will be completed on schedule," said Eduardo Pereira, AE, PWD (highways) who is holding additional charge of Mapusa.
The project has faced some hurdles since its inception. Initially, work was delayed due to time taken to shift utility services like the water pipelines and electricity poles.
The Rs 29.42 crore overbridge/underpass is expected to give huge relief to people living in Aldona and adjoining villages from the constant traffic chaos at the Bastora junction.
The total length of the overbridge is 20 metres with a six-lane span along the highway while the 6-metre high underpass will be four-laned for vehicular movement along the Aldona-Mapusa route.
