MARGAO
The demand to build the Cuncolim bypass, running parallel to the Konkan Railway tracks, seemed to have not found favour with the Centre, with the PWD, National Highway finally zeroing in on the Cuncolim bypass alignment, starting from the Uskiniarik culvert, Cuncolim and meeting the NH-66 near the Balli Primary Health Centre.
This has become evident now after the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 298 crore for land acquisition for the proposed Cuncolim bypass road.
A senior PWD, NH official told The Goan on Sunday that the department has proposed the acquisition of land along the Cuncolim bypass alignment, starting from Uskiniarik to the Balli Primary Health Centre. “The Centre has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 361 crore to develop the existing Navelim-Cuncolim Highway spanning around 6.9 km into a four-lane road. The four-lane Navelim-Cuncolim road development ends at the Uskiniarik. The land acquisition for the Cuncolim bypass will start from Uskiniarik and end near the Balli Primary Health Centre,” the senior PWD official said.
The official added: “A total of three alignments were under consideration of the Union Road Transport Ministry. The Centre has zeroed in on alignment No. 3 of the Cuncolim bypass, from Uskiniarik to Balli PHC.”
The official pointed out that with the Centre approving the alignment No. 3 by sanctioning funds for the land acquisition, work on the acquisition of the land for the bypass will commence soon.
People of Cuncolim led by Yuri Alemao had come out on the streets around five years ago to demand the construction of the Cuncolim bypass, running parallel to the Konkan Railway tracks. The alignment, running parallel to the railway tracks, was proposed to start from Sirlim near the residence of former Velim MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues and then run parallel to the Konkan Railway tracks at Sarzora, before the alignment meets the NH-66 near the Balli PHC.
ELEVATED CORRIDOR AT CONGESTED DANDEAVADDO STRETCH ON CARDS
MARGAO: The four-laning of the Navelim-Cuncolim National Highway-66 should ring in good news for the motorists and travellers as well as the residents of Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim.
Reason: While the four-lane highway along the 6.9 km stretch will ensure smooth movement of traffic on the National Highway, presently hit by traffic snarls, the residents of Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim may now find that a flyover at Dandeavaddo on the four-lane stretch has been sanctioned in the four-lane road proposal.
A senior PWD, NH official has said an elevated corridor has been mooted at the congested Dandevaddo stretch, starting from the Betul traffic junction.
The people of Dandeavaddo led by Chinchinim Sarpanch Valentino Barretto have demanded the construction of the Dandeavaddo bypass to avoid traffic congestion at the junction, which has been the site of many road accidents.
