the goan I network
MAPUSA
The ongoing work on the Bastora overbridge/underpass appears to be a never ending one with the project along the NH17 missing a record fifth completion deadline.
In mid-May, senior PWD officials (highways) had informed The Goan that nearly 99% work of the overbridge/underpass was completed and the underpass was expected to be thrown open to traffic in June.
But that wasn’t to be. With the current pace of work and monsoons in full fury, the project appears to be heading for a post-monsoon deadline.
Work on the project, which started in January 2016 was first scheduled to complete by June 2017. It was then pushed to December 2017, later to March 2018 and finally to May 2018. The officials then pushed the deadline to June-end.
It may be recalled the project has faced hurdles since inception. Initially, work was delayed due to time taken to shift utility services like water pipelines and electricity poles.
Inquiries with the PWD (highways) has revealed that centering (steel work) of the over bridge was almost complete and placing of concrete slab could take place any time next week.
“But even concreting work will depend on rains. If it pours continuously the work will have to wait till the rains subside,” an official at the site informed.
The official further disclosed that after the concrete slab, another 28 days have to pass for curing of the concrete.
Although the approach road from Panaji side is complete in all respects including hot-mixing, the work remains incomplete on the other side.
“Work of WBM (water bound macadam) and hot-mixing of the approach road from Patradevi side is yet to be completed,” the official said adding that while WBM work on the approach road can be taken up during monsoon, hot-mixing can be taken up only after monsoons.
PWD AE (highways) Eduardo Pereira admitted that the underpass missed several deadlines due to unforeseen reasons. “We were held up for almost a month due to shortage of labour due to Karnataka assembly elections in May. Most of the labourers who had gone to their home town for voting were away for almost a month,” Pereira said.
This time, however, the
AE refused to fix any deadline on the project but expected the work to be completed in all respects soon after
monsoons.
Poor service road, lack of streetlights, speed limit puts motorists
at risk
the goan I network
MAPUSA
The delay in completing the Bastora overbridge/underpass is causing a lot of inconvenience and hardship to motorists.
The narrow service roads have cracked at many places and in the first rains have developed several potholes.
Two-wheeler riders face the biggest risk to their lives due to the slippery condition of the roads in the rains.
Besides having to take a detour of almost 800 metres, motorists going towards Aldona face another hurdle while turning right at the make shift round about.
Vehicles travelling towards Patradevi come at full speed from behind making it difficult and risky for motorists to maneouvre the roundabout while turning right towards Aldona.
The authorities have failed to take adequate preventive measures like erecting proper sign boards or ensure speed limit due to ongoing works of the overbridge/underpass.
The situation turns even more dangerous in the nights, as the whole area is plunged into darkness due to the absence of street lights.
“Taking a right at the roundabout has become dangerous for two-wheeler riders like me. Besides having to keep constant watch for speeding vehicles behind, we have to also keep watch for potholes,” said Annice D’Souza of Bastora.
Sources said the traffic police and RTO officials make matters worse by stationing themselves at the roundabout waiting to penalise traffic offenders.
The PWD (highways) official told The Goan that the department had taken up the matter about fixing street lights in the area with the electricity department.
“According to power department officials, there is only HT (high tension) line passing along the highway. They can fix light fixtures only on LT (low tension) line,” the PWD official said.
While by now it’s certain that work on the underpass won’t be completed before monsoon, motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders will be left to fend for themselves.
