the goan I network
VASCO
It is finally official. The State government will after all go ahead with its plans to divert traffic plying on the Panaji and Margao route at the Cortalim junction further through the Chicalim circle.
The diversion is necessary as the 3.5-kilometre stretch between Cortalim and the Toyota showroom at Kesarval needs to be closed to facilitate work on the Zuari bridge. The announcement is expected to be made on January 5.
The development was confirmed at a meeting of top officials from the administration and the Goa Police’s Traffic Cell held recently. Although there has been strong opposition to the proposal from several political quarters and the public, the administration is seemingly determined to go ahead with the plan and divert traffic so as to facilitate work on the Zuari bridge.
The road spanning around 3.5 kms between Cortalim circle and Sharayu Toyota showroom will be closed for traffic movement for eight months with effect from January 5 to enable the contractor to transport the deck-slabs of the eight-lane bridge and place them on the piers already built on this stretch.
At the recent meeting of top officials, it was been decided to announce the date for the planned diversion soon so that commuters and motorists are informed in advance and can make contingency arrangements to tackle the hardships they may face.
The announcement will come as a setback for various students and office-goers who may have to take a detour which will add an additional 22-kilometres to their journey between Panaji and Margao.
According to the plans, the road between Cortalim circle and Sharayu Toyota showroom is to be closed for a tentative period of eight months.
The Goan had broken the story of the planned traffic diversion earlier this month.
In fact the diversion had been planned to be implemented much earlier but due to peak tourism season rush for Christmas and New Year celebrations, traffic officials requested that it be delayed.
Meanwhile at a meeting of the North Goa Consumer Protection Council meeting in Panaji on Thursday, DySP Traffic addressed the council about the diversion plans so that public is aware and can plan their journey, especially to the airport.
“The decision is important because from the safety point of view, the contractor cannot compromise the safety of commuters,” Additional Collector Vikas Gaunekar said.
“They are covering the entire road by extending the bridge. That is why they need to close the road, tentatively from the second week of January as informed by DySP Traffic (South Goa),” Gaunekar said.
It is going to affect everybody predominantly. The road will be closed tentatively for a eight months” Gaunekar, added.
