Industry association worried due to stalled highway work at Verna

The ambitious road-widening work of NH-17B link passing through Verna Industrial Estate has come to a standstill, prompting concerns among the Verna Industries Association (VIA). Worried that the incomplete roadwork could cause a lot of hardship if it is not completed before the monsoons, the VIA has also questioned the government’s silence when it comes to issues pertaining to industries in Goa.  

The NH-17B link, which connects NH17B with NH4 and passes through Verna Industrial Estate and Loutolim, seeks to cut short the distance and time between Mormugao and Belagavi via Ponda.  

At present, heavy vehicles traveling from Mormugao to Ponda have to pass through the narrow road at Quelossim and Rassaim, before reaching Loutolim. The The NH-17B link is expected to connect Titan Junction with Khandepar near Ponda. “The VIA had earlier pointed out that the cost to shift utilities was not included in the work tender prepared by the central team. Despite constant petitions to the government, nothing has been done in this matter,” said VIA President Damodar Kochkar.  

“The underground utilities are been kept as it is below the road but now the contractor cannot go ahead with the work as overhead electrical lines and installations have not been shifted.”   

“After persistent follow-ups with the PWD National Highway (Goa cell), the VIA has learnt that they have a provision of only Rs 15 lakh as against Rs 1.25 crore needed to shift overhead electrical lines,” he said.  

Kochkar said the VIA had failed to understand the indifferent attitude of the government despite several meetings with authorities concerned. “To make matters worse, the election procedure has paralysed the functioning of the industries. All electricity sub-station officers have been assigned to election duty and now, the entire government machinery seems to be in election mode.”  

“If a decision is not taken soon, the roadwork will not get completed before the monsoon and industries at Verna will have to go through a lot of hardships during the monsoons,” added Kochkar.