PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the contractor handling the Porvorim flyover project M/s Lion Engineering Consultants Pvt Ltd to complete the hot-mixing and tarring of alternate roads -- created due to the ongoing works -- within 10 days from Thursday, December 18.
The Court has further ordered that no fresh construction or trenches be dug from O’Coqueiro till Mapusa stretch where the work has extended so far, should commence till January 1, 2025.
These directions were issued in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Adv Moses Pinto seeking remedial measures to curb pollution and traffic inconvenience caused by the project.
The Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta conceded the need for immediate action on various fronts to alleviate public inconvenience.
Key decisions from the recently-held joint meeting of government departments were endorsed by the Court that included deploying ambulances at the site, closing trenches and assigning traffic marshals to regulate vehicular movement among others. The Electricity Department has also been directed to shift electric poles at the earliest.
The North Goa Collector had issued two directives mandating the project contractor to deploy 30 traffic marshals and ensure proper lighting along the construction zone.
“The contractor has assured the Court that measures will be taken to reduce pollution and blacktopping of roads will be expedited,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed. The contractor also committed to ensuring that no fresh construction on the further stretches of the project road will begin till alternate roads are hot-mixed and ready for proper use.
The Court further reiterated that no new trenches or pits are to be dug till January 1, 2025, to minimize disruption during the festive season of Christmas and New Year. The Court has adjourned the matter for further hearing on resuming functioning after the winter vacation.
Regarding the demolition of the kiosk and its wall near Mall de Goa, which was prioritized to widen the road at the curve, Advocate General Pangam informed that the wall has already been removed. The Collector will initiate necessary steps for the demolition of the kiosk in accordance with the law. “The same should be done expeditiously,” he said.
The road stretch from Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue near Mall de Goa to Sai Service Circle has already been hotmixed.
The PWD has also directed the concerned authorities to install traffic signages on priority, as decided during the meeting.
Addressing the issue of proper illumination at the construction site for better visibility of motorists, the PWD and the contractor have partially completed the work. “This work is in progress, and the roads will be properly illuminated as per the directions issued by the PWD,” it stated.
The AG further assured that the construction of the elevated corridor beyond O’Coquiero Junction will commence after the New Year to avoid further traffic congestion. He also confirmed that instructions are complied with till date.
