the goan I network
PANAJI
A clash of sorts erupted between Minister for Public Works Ramakrishna "Sudin" Dhavalikar and his several other legislators including ruling and opposition over the issue of accepting central government funds under the Bharat Mala project.
While Dhavalikar argued that the state would lose readily available Rs 250 crore under the project only because some legislators opposed it on account of the bars and restaurants that would lose their licences as a consequence.
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said that under no circumstances would he allow such a consequence and he was supported by Churchill Alemão who said that the "disease" of national highways should not be taken to the coasts.
The matter was resolved after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar rose to assure that no decision would be taken unless there is a solution "first" for it.
"Let us not oppose it. Rs 250 crore we are receiving from the Centre. That is much more than the revenue we receive from bars. We can build a five-star bar for this kind of money," Dhavalikar said.
He also cited the example of the new national highway which was sanctioned between Carasswado to Usgao. Along this stretch, there must be at the most 25-30 bars. We were getting Rs 800 crore for it. For the sake of 30 bars if we are going to stop a project then what will be left of us," Dhavalikar asked.
"We have to think of 25 years from now. On one hand, you are saying you want broad roads but on the other, you are opposing. Let us not say no," Dhavalikar petitioned.
He was however met by vocal protests by ruling legislators including Lobo and Alemão.
"Unless we have a solution we will not go ahead and not implement it," Parrikar assured.
Earlier this year, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa too had opposed the construction of National Highways through coastal area.
"The construction of National Highways through the densely populated coastal belt of Goa will spell disaster for Goa Tourism. Besides, it is not feasible to construct a National Highway in the Coastal belt without destroying its essence."
"A highway cannot be constructed in densely populated areas, which will entail small village roads connecting to a highway at every 50 meters, which will interfere with the traffic on the Highway," the TTAG's Francisco de Bragança had said.
