the goan I network
MARGAO
People of Cuncolim and Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim have a question or two for Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar - why is the Centre not keen on having bypasses on the NH-17 passing through these densely populated areas as per the alignment earlier approved by a consultant even as the Union Surface Transport Ministry boasts of allotting thousands of crores of rupees on highway expansion?
Both the Chief Minister and the PWD Minister have returned back to Goa with a promise from Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to sanction additional Rs 2,000 crore for the highway expansion in the State, but Gadkari's promise does not ring in any good news for the people of Cuncolim and Dandeavaddo, who have been demanding constructing of bypass roads as per the Regional Plan.
Senior PWD, national highway officials in private say the Centre has not given approval for the bypass at Dandeavaddo and Cuncolim via Sarzora taking into account the cost factor since it will involve additional land acquisition. Officials pointed out that there isn't going to be any changes in the existing NH-17 passing through Dandeavaddo. The existing highway will pass through Cuncolim till the Uskinibandh before the highway is diverted to Balli via a bypass.
Residents of Cuncolim and Dandeavaddo are groping in the dark over the PWD's plan vis-à-vis the National Highway expansion passing through the two areas, with PWD officials saying that the Highway plan is at the last stage of finalisation.
Cuncolim Municipal councillor Mario Moraes told The Goan on Friday that the Cuncolim civic body is not in receipt of any plan from the PWD over the alignment of the NH-17 passing through the town. "I have been told by PWD officials in private that the bypass at Cuncolim will start only 50 metres after the Uskinibandh and not at Sarzora as was decided earlier. The bypass from Uskinibandh is expected to pass through the fields of Sanvorcotto, enter Comba area before meeting the existing NH-17 after the Balli primary health centre," Moraes said.
He wondered why the Centre and the State government are hell bent in taking the bypass through the densely populated areas of Cuncolim when the previous plan to take the bypass via Sarzora running parallel to the Konkan railway line would have served better.
The Chinchinim panchayat has demanded that the State government build a bypass and avoid entry of all interstate heavy traffic through Dandeavaddo. Panchayat members have also called on the local MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues to take up the issue with the government and insist on a bypass.
Panchayat member Valentino Barretto said the Centre talks about spending thousands of crores of rupees on highway expansion across the country.
"Why cannot the Centre and the State government build a bypass to take care of the future traffic requirements at both Dandeavaddo and Cuncolim. The government may save some money today by not building the bypasses as was planned by a consultant, but it will cost these two areas heavily in terms of traffic congestion in the future," he cautioned.
Sirlim residents demand measures along NH-17 to curb rising accidents
MARGAO: Residents of Sirlim on Friday demanded that the National Highways initiate adequate measures along the NH-17 passing through the village to curb the rising accidents.
The residents conveyed their sentiments to NH-17 officials comprising of Assistant Engineer Mahantesh Hiremath and Junior Jerry at an interaction held at the accident prone spot on Friday noon.
Panchayat members led by Sarpanch Sanjana Chari were also present at the interaction which was called by the residents in view of the fatal accidents that have taken place on the NH-17 in recent times.
While the residents demanded urgent short term measures to avoid accidents along the stretch, the highway officials maintained that they can only erect rumblers along the danger spot.
The PWD, NH Assistant engineer said the PWD has mooted the long term plan to widen the Highway with dividers, but the residents pointed out that it will take a long time to implement the measures, while insisting on short term measures.
Former Sarpanch Domnick Noronha said the Highway officials were invited by the villagers since there's been a number of accidents, including a couple of fatal accidents, along the stretch in recent months.
FACT FINDINGS
The Centre has not given approval for the bypass at Dandeavaddo and Cuncolim via Sarzora taking into account the cost factor since it will involve additional land acquisition
There isn't going to be any change in the existing NH-17 passing through Dandeavaddo
The existing highway will pass through Cuncolim till the Uskinibandh before the highway is diverted to Balli via a bypass
