MARGAO
A road bypass in Cuncolim Town has been the need of the hour with all the national highway traffic coming from Karnataka and outgoing traffic is passing on the narrow road through the market over the years.
And, the Cuncolim bypass has become all the more important with the manifold rise in traffic on the NH 66, especially traffic coming from the Southern states of Karnataka and Kerala.
Local residents, however, have been asking successive governments to go for the Cuncolim bypass alignment that would cater to the future requirements.
Sources in the know said the PWD, NH had mooted the first bypass, starting from Uskinibandh, Sanvorcotto, Comba before it again meets the highway near the Cuncolim police station. This alignment was shot down after it came to light that it would entail demolition of many residential houses in Comba area. This alignment was also shot down on the plea that it meets the NH at the Cuncolim police station, serving little purpose on overall decongestion of the town.
The Sarzora-Balli bypass running parallel to the Konkan Railway tracks was later mooted and proposed in the regional plan as part of the long-term planning. The alignment, however, came in for objection as it was feared that it would result in demolition of houses at Bela Temb and other areas.
IN the meantime, the PWD has proposed the third alignment, with the bypass starting from Uskinibandh and proceeding towards Comba joining the NH at Balli village.
