the goan I network
VASCO
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite the port connectivity project, adding that the NHAI has assured that the project would be taken on top priority.
“Mormugao Port is a good port and has a good draft, but it has not been utilised to its full extent because we cannot have a situation where heavy vehicles pass through the city to enter the port,” Godinho told reporters.
“We have to have the four-lane port connectivity highway envisaged for this and it is 90% complete. A small section from Baina to Sada is pending. I requested the NHAI to take up this work on topmost priority. This project will ensure more traffic movement to and from the port. The highway will also reduce traffic on the city roads and decongest Vasco city.”
Work on the port connectivity project had come to a grinding halt, with contractors and engineers of the port connectivity project confronting Gammon India officials and demanding release of their pending payments for over 6-8 months.
Gammon Officials had claimed they were to receive a payment of around Rs 24 crore from authorities and hence, the works were stalled.
However, Urban Development Minister Milind Naik said there was a technical issue and confusion over payment for additional works taken on deviation of the project amounting to Rs 90 crore, which was within the initial prescribed budget sanctioned of Rs 540 crore.
‘New policy needed to save houses’
VASCO: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to have a new policy for Goa which would prevent demolition of houses by building flyovers wherever needed.
“I have requested the union road transport ministry to treat Goa differently. Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Retd General V K Singh has assured that the suggestion would be considered seriously and would be implemented soon,” Godinho told reporters on Tuesday.
“Goa is a small state and wherever there is a cluster of houses on both sides of the road, you can’t expect to just start demolishing the houses. I have suggested to the NHAI to have flyovers all over Goa where there are clusters of houses. Instead of trying to divert highways or demolish houses through such areas, it is better to have a flyover and they should have a new policy for Goa because we are a small state. They were kind enough to note down my suggestion and after the meeting, they told me that they will work on every suggestion and it would be implemented,” said Godinho.
