CANACONAAdmitting that the monsoons had damaged many parts of highway between Gulem and Polem, Deputy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes assured to begin repair work at the earliest.“The monsoons have been intense this this year and have damaged roads in many parts of the highway section between Gulem and Polem. As soon as rains subside, repairs will be taken up as the work order has already been issued”, Fernandes told The Goan.According to sources, a work order has been issued to M/s Venkatrao Infra Projects Pvt Ltd for “periodical renewal between KM 66/00 to KM 93/800 on NH-66 road on EPC (Engineering Procurement Contract) mode”.The 27.8 km stretch of NH-66 road between Gulem and Polem via Shristhal-Poinguinim will be taken up for repairs at a tendered cost of about Rs 12.6 crore. The scope of work order has 90 days as period of completion with date of commencement as August 14 and completion of work by November 11.Incidentally, a week ago, a group of Congress workers had protested at Nagorcem and had accused the government for the poor conditions of the highway in Canacona.The Nagorcem section of NH-66 had been repaired twice during the early monsoon rains and has yet again been filled with potholes, making it difficult for motorists.The Gulem-Polem stretch of NH-66 in Canacona taluka is considered an accident-prone area in the State and has frequently been in the news for accidents along the narrow stretch of the highway, especially at Partagal and Poinguinim.The accidents have, however, reduced following the commissioning of the 7.8 km Manohar Parrikar Canacona Bypass road, which cuts short the distance by 14 kms. However, the old highway section continues to be an important link within the taluka.
