the goan I network
MARGAO
The government said the Cuncolim bypass alignment on the national highway will be finalised after receiving feedback from the stakeholders, local MLAs and affected people. The three alignments will be submitted to the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways, Delhi, it stated.
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar told Cuncolim MLA that the detailed project report will be prepared based on the alignment (out of the three alignments) finalized after receiving inputs from the stakeholders. He further said the alignment and detailed project report will be forward to MORTH after obtaining the approval from the State government.
Allaying fears and anxiety in the minds of residents, who are residing on the proposed stretch of the Cuncolim bypass, and whose houses are getting affected, as raised by Cuncolim MLA via a Calling Attention in the House, the PWD Minister assured there would be no abrupt takeover of the houses, but the entire programme will be synchronized in close coordination and cooperation with the affected persons.
In his reply to MLA Clafacio’s Calling Attention, Pauskar stated that the alignment of the four-laning of NH-66 (old NH-17) from Uskini bandh, Cuncolim to Polem, Canacona, was approved MORTH. “The instant alignment commences at Dramapur on existing highway and terminates at Gulem in Canacona for a length of 31 kms. The Cuncolim-Balli bypass is integral part of this alignment. It bypasses the Cuncolim town and Balli village, from Uskini Bandh onwards and joins the existing highway at Balli Health Centre and continues further till Gulem in Canacona,” he replied.
He further stated that the alignment having length of seven kilometres from Uskini bandh to Balli Health Centre was approved by the ministry based on its technical merits. Around 31 structures are affected on this alignment consisting mainly of residences as per the report submitted by the consultant, he added.
“Of the 31 kms, land was acquired in the past up to Uskini bandh. The intervening stretch of 22 kms from Uskini bandh to Gulem in Canacona, the land has not been acquired,” the reply added.
The minister pointed out that three alignments are being worked out for the Cuncolim bypass after carrying out a survey due to objections from the locals, stakeholders and the local MLA.
