the goan I network
VASCO
A high-level joint inspection of various stretches of roads along NH17A and NH17B was carried out on Sunday evening to work out a new plan to ease traffic movement before the traffic diversion for vehicles plying between Panaji and Margao is finalised.
PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, South Goa Collector Dr Tariq Thomas, PWD officials, and traffic department officials were present.
Though the legislators and other officials present at inspection confirmed that the traffic diversion was finalised, they didn’t commit when the diversion would come into force.
The PWD Minister informed that the inspection was conducted to identify various bottlenecks on the highways that could cause traffic congestion on the diverted route.
Dhavalikar said various plans have been proposed by the PWD. “Many of the stretches would be widened and some earmarked as one way so that there is smooth flow of vehicular movement on the diverted route. The diversion could last for around a year,” he mentioned.
He said, “We want to ensure that the people are not put to any inconvenience. We are also trying to acquire more land to widen the roads. We will also meet with the Navy officials in a bid to acquire more land for widening and strengthening of the roads to cope up with the extra traffic movement during the diversion.”
“There are plans to creating one way route on the same existing route between Panaji and Margao so that there is no congestion. We will upgrade the present infrastructure on these roads and after another two meetings we will chalk out the final plan. We will go ahead with the diversion only after the requisite infrastructure is put in place on the present roads,” he said.
Dhavalikar said if the farmers give their land for a service road then we may not have to go for diversion at this stage. “The present infrastructure and alignment that we have decided on the current roads will curtail the detour to 14 kms from 22 kms for vehicles plying between Panaji and Margao,” he added.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that bylanes, side lanes and added infrastructure on present roads was vital in case of traffic diversion. “We are facing bottlenecks at various locations on the route. We have shown the PWD Minister some critical places where added infrastructure, including small bridges, is required,” he said.
“The traffic load will increase on some of the internal roads after diversion. We will put in place requisite infrastructure to facilitate the diversion and it will continue to exist once the traffic is restored on the original route,” he added.
He appealed to the people not to spread a wrong message and oppose the diversion just for the sake of opposing. “The diversion is finalised and there are about three to four routes that need to be worked on. The route with least inconvenience to motorists will be considered,” Godinho said.
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said that it was important to understand the present need. “We have to ensure that locals face least trouble as a result of the diversion. The main area that we discussed today is the MES College junction. The PWD Minister has noted down the points raised by us,” she said.
