MAPUSA
The much-desired Mapusa-Calangute road widening work has been stuck for quite some time due to delay in land acquisition process and a legal hurdle, even as the PWD has tendered the work and is also ready to begin the work as soon as it gets possession of land.
The PWD (roads) has prepared an estimate of Rs 8 crore to complete the stretch of 520 metre which includes shifting of four water pipelines and constructing two culverts.
While the Major District Road (MDR) from Bodgeshwar temple (Canca) to Parra and beyond has been widened with footpaths, nearly half a kilometre of the road on the Mapusa side is pending completion.
Sources in the PWD informed that the road widening work entails demolition and re-construction of two culverts one of which is a major one.
Further, the work also involves shifting of three to four water pipelines on the stretch.
The land acquisition process has reportedly got stuck because a tenant has approached the High Court, but this was expected to get resolved as the court has also passed directions for completion of the road widening work at the earliest.
“The land acquisition process is on. As soon as we get possession of the land we will start work on the road,” a senior PWD engineer informed.
While the road widening and beautification work with footpaths from Canca to Parra and beyond on Calangute side has been taken up by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), the work on Mapusa side will be taken up by the PWD.
The High Court had issued directions to widen the road with footpaths while hearing a PIL petition filed by the Goa Foundation.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo had taken up the lead to widen the road from Verla-Canca to Parra and beyond.
“I had initiated the widening of road upto the Gandhi Chowk and GTDC had agreed to do it. Now, it’s up to the Mapusa MLA to take it forward,” Lobo said.
He said mud was dumped on both sides of the road around eight years back.
“What needs to be done is soling of the road and erecting of a divider on the road,” he said.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza admitted the need of widening the road on Mapusa side.
“It’s getting delayed because some tenants have approached the High Court. As soon as it gets cleared work on widening will begin,” D’Souza said.
