PANAJI
Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari dedicated to the Nation a 4-lane section from Loutolim village to Verna Industrial Estate on National Highway 566 at a public function held at Verna on Monday. This road is also known as the missing link as it connects North and South Districts from Ponda and Borim to Verna and Vasco.
The total length of this project is 7.32 km, which starts from Loutolim to Titan gate of Verna Industrial Estate. This link will reduce travel distance from Ponda town to Mormugao by 12 km thus reducing travel time by 30 minutes.
The 3.84 km stretch of road from Loutolim to Commscope Company is the missing link road which is constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 185.05 crore. The total project cost for the entire 7.32 km stretch from Loutolim to Titan gate is Rs 229.85 crore.
While speaking on the occasion Gadkari said that ecology, development and environment should go hand in hand for the overall development of the country.
He said the Union Government is of the opinion that petrol and diesel transport should be changed to other modes -- methanol, ethanol, electricity and other non-polluting options. Public Transport in the country should be converted to electric.
Goa should be prosperous by setting international benchmarks with regards to infrastructure, he said.
Speaking further, he said infrastructure development strengthens the economy. Water, air and sound pollution should be reduced with the use of the latest technology, he added.
He also informed that the second Zuari Bridge in the State will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in the country. "This bridge will be completed by September 2022 but we are trying to open one lane of some part by December 2021 by completing the approach roads. This bridge will be an international tourist spot with a viewer’s gallery," he remarked.
Gadkari further said that an elevated link road to connect Mopa Airport with National Highway will be taken up by spending Rs 1,200 crore and will be completed by 2023. The latest engineering technologies are being used for the modern infrastructure, he said, adding that Goa is an international tourist destination and therefore infrastructure of international quality is taken up.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant thanked Union Minister Gadkari for paying special attention to the needs of the State. He said infrastructure development - may it be bridges, road network and other works are under full swing all across the State from Patradevi to Canacona till Mollem. He said Goa has received around Rs 10,500 crore from 2014 till date from the Union Government for infrastructure projects.
