PANAJI
Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) aims to complete the proposed Rua de Ourem Bridge in Panaji within a span of 18 months. The bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 24 crore by M/s Larsen and Toubro Limited.
Making this announcement, Panaji MLA and GSIDC vice-chairman, Sidharth Kuncalienkar said, “The foundation stone for the bridge will be laid on the occasion of Gudi Padwa on April 8 by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. This was one of our promises in the 2012 election manifesto. The work on the bridge will also begin on the same day.”
Once the bridge comes up, a second entry will be created catering to the areas of Mala, Fontainhas, Bhatlem and Taleigao. It will reduce traffic load on the old Patto bridge and cut down distance of vehicles entering Panaji city and Mala area by 1.5 km.
“The four-lane bridge will be constructed in two phases. A 700 mm diameter water pipeline for Panaji city, two-lane bridge and the service bridge will be constructed first. This will be completed in 4-6 months on fast track. The lowest bidder M/s Larsen and Toubro has been given the contract and they have quoted Rs 24 crore," said Kuncalienkar.
The proposed bridge alignment which has a length of 103m is designed as a 3 span pre-stressed continuous bridge having 2 spans of 30m on side and one central span of 43m. The bridge shall have 2 lanes of 7 m each with a foot path of 2.1 m on either side. There shall be a gap of 3m between the two lanes which shall be used to accommodate services such as water pipe line, sewage, high tension electrical lines, telecom and street lighting.
