MAPUSA
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the twin observatory towers coming up on the new Zuari bridge would be a unique project for India and envisioned the landmark infrastructure as a major tourism attraction for Goa.
Gadkari, who inaugurated the six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim, said the towers were conceived from the idea of creating an iconic structure in India on the lines of the Eiffel Tower in France.
“I had seen the Eiffel Tower in France and a thought struck in my mind of having such a unique project in India. And that’s how the idea of having observatory towers in Goa came about. There will be a viewer gallery and restaurant in the tower. We can use technology to make the viewer gallery really majestic,” Gadkari said.
The proposed twin towers, being developed on the new Zuari bridge, are part of a Rs 270.07-crore project and are designed to include viewing galleries, a revolving restaurant and an art gallery. The project is being executed on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, with no direct financial burden on the government.
Gadkari also called for a shift towards cleaner fuels in Goa, urging the State to reduce its dependence on conventional fuels and embrace technologies such as biofuels and hydrogen to tackle pollution.
He said highways should not merely provide connectivity but should also contribute towards environmental sustainability.
Gadkari urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to develop the NH-66 as a “green corridor” by planting species capable of absorbing more carbon dioxide and releasing more oxygen.
The Union Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the 5.15-km six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim in the presence of Sawant, State ministers, MLAs and senior officials.
The project, constructed at a cost of about Rs 641 crore, is aimed at easing one of Goa’s busiest traffic bottlenecks and improving connectivity between North and South Goa. The corridor is expected to carry around 75,000-80,000 vehicles a day, taking a substantial share of the existing traffic off the ground-level road.
On the occasion, the State government signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur for improving traffic management and mobility in Goa. The agreement envisages identifying and addressing traffic bottlenecks, improving junctions and tackling accident-prone locations.
The MoU was signed by PWD Principal Chief Engineer Sandeep Chodankar and a representative of IIM Nagpur.
Sawant described Wednesday's developments as three major milestones for Goa – the inauguration of the Porvorim elevated corridor, the observatory towers on the Zuari bridge and the agreement with IIM Nagpur for improving traffic management.
“There will be two observatory towers of 120 metre height each. Within three minutes we will be able to reach the top. Every tourist will come to see the observatory towers,” Sawant said.
He said the Porvorim corridor had been completed ahead of its original October deadline and would strengthen connectivity along NH-66.
“NH-66 links five states – Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It will boost economic activity,” Sawant said.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said the elevated corridor would reduce travel time, fuel consumption and wear and tear of vehicles, besides easing congestion on the existing road.
Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said securing an elevated corridor for Porvorim had been a priority since he was elected MLA.
He said the project would provide much-needed relief from congestion and help address the growing traffic pressure on the NH-66 corridor.
Union minister vows contractor blacklisting record
MAPUSA: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday expressed strong frustration over the prolonged delay in completing the four-lane Mumbai-Goa highway, saying he now wanted to set a “record” for blacklisting erring contractors.
Gadkari said several contractors had abandoned the project midway, contributing to the long delay in completing the highway.
“My department has set seven world records for various works, but now I want to set another – a record for blacklisting contractors, debarring them and suspending officials within a year,” Gadkari said.
Expressing his disappointment over the project's prolonged construction, Gadkari said, “I feel ashamed that the Mumbai-Goa highway has taken so long.”
He said he would personally travel by road from Mumbai to Goa once the highway was completed to inspect the quality of the work.
“Once it is ready, I will make sure I travel from Mumbai to Goa by road to check the work,” he said.
