PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar on Sunday demanded the resignation of PWD Minister Digambar Kamat and sought a transparent, independent inquiry into the safety, planning and utility of the newly inaugurated Porvorim Flyover, following reports of two deaths within 24 hours of its inauguration.
In an official statement, Chodankar demanded that the government explain the basis for restricting two-wheelers from using the flyover and publish the project’s traffic study and design-safety assessment, subject to applicable technical and legal requirements.
He also sought clarity on the flyover’s actual traffic benefits, particularly in relation to movement towards and from Panaji, and demanded that responsibility be fixed wherever negligence or inadequate planning is established.
“This is not about political point-scoring. It is about accountability and public safety. Crores of rupees have been spent, grand celebrations were held and the Government was quick to claim credit for the project. But when serious concerns emerge immediately after inauguration, the Minister responsible for the department cannot simply distance himself from responsibility,” Chodankar said.
Chodankar said the reported deaths had made the matter more serious, while stressing that their causes must be established through a proper investigation. He also questioned the project’s overall traffic utility and asked the government to explain what traffic problem the flyover had actually solved.
“If four-wheelers still have to cross Atal Setu to enter or exit Panaji, then what is the real traffic benefit being delivered to commuters?” Chodankar asked.
