VASCO
Gammon India, the company entrusted with the four-lane port connectivity project, on Saturday assured that the loop works which will connect the four-lane flyover between Verna and Sada to the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) will be completed by December 31.
Speaking to reporters, Gammon India Admin Manager R Prabhakaran also said the flyover was the safest and the roads of the four-lane port connectivity project were the best in the State.
"We have already taken up works on Loop 2 of the project and we have completed almost 75 per cent of the work. We also have to wait for Railways crossing and the ending of works in MPA before we can connect the bridges which we are planning to complete by December 2022.”
“We can then expect a lot of heavy vehicles arriving and leaving from the port to pass from this bridge. Vasco will then be free from traffic congestion and there will be zero or minimal movement of port-related heavy vehicles from the city,” said Prabhakaran.
The official informed that work is also underway on the ramp connection from the city to the bridge.
"As far as safety is considered, we have taken the best technology from the world over and we have also taken up works of retaining walls all across to prevent landslide in monsoons and also prevent any sand or mud from flowing into the sea.”
“We have also made another stepping wall in addition to this retaining wall outside the retaining wall as a double layer protection for an additional safety measure to prevent any soil erosion,” he added.
‘Highway not for walks, clicking selfies’
VASCO:
Gammon India Admin Manager R Prabhakaran has appealed to people not to use the highway overlooking the Arabian Sea for walking and to click selfies in the middle of the road.
"Some locals have begun using the bridge as a walking track, we have seen hundreds of people arrive from across Goa on the bridge to click photos and watch the sunset from the bridge.”
“Quite often, people leave their children unattended and some stand in the middle of the road for videos and pictures,” said Prabhakaran.
Prabhakaran said the Traffic Police had been informed about the situation and they have fined many people.
“Sadly, people just don't realise the seriousness of the project. We have seen huge crowds between 4 pm and 7 pm and sometimes children, play on the main road. We do not know what will be the state when the loops are connected and the bridge is fully functional for heavy vehicles moving in and out of the port at full speed," said Prabhakaran.
