VASCO
In an unusual land trade, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and Navy swapped land for their respective projects in Vasco, with the MPT even agreeing to foot the bill for the Navy's project.
While the Navy has handed over its land to the MPT for the proposed NH17B flyover, the MPT will hand over its land to the Navy for Base Workshop (Goa) at Bogda.
Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area Vice Admiral Puneet K Bahl on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Base Workshop (Goa) at the new site in Bogda, in the presence of MPT Deputy Chairman G P Rai.
The land was exchanged between MPT and Navy after the proposed NH17B flyover was partially lying in the Naval Base Workshop at Vasco.
It was proposed that naval base at Vasco be relocated and after meetings and approvals with both ministries, it was decided that the MPT and Navy exchange the land.
According to the land swap deal, the MPT would acquire the land where the present Naval Base Workshop exists at Baina, to avoid any security concerns when the flyover above the workshop and four-lane road NH17B is completed.
On its part, the MPT will hand over its land at Bogda to the Navy and will also construct the base workshop for the Navy, with plans approved by naval authorities, at a cost of Rs 3.8 crore.
"We thank the Navy authorities for agreeing to relocate to a different location. It was a critical decision as a part of the flyover, which connects the Gate 9 inside MPT to NH17B passes through the Naval area," said J Premkumar, technical advisor to the MPT chairman.
"Vasco is choked and port trucks also face a lot of movement restrictions during evening and peak hours. Once this project is completed, there will be unhindered movement and port will increase the efficiency and in the meantime, the Vasco city traffic will be decongested. Less movement through city means less accidents and less pollution."
"This decision also taken in a record time so that the project NH17B does not suffer even for a day and it will be completed as per schedule," added Premkumar.
MPT Deputy Chairman G P Rai said the NH17B project would be completed by October 2018 and the cost of the project is Rs 546 crore.
