MAPUSA
The Public Works Department’s (PWD) plan to procure a mechanised broomer to address severe dust pollution along NH-66 in Porvorim may not materialise, as parts of the highway have been temporarily hot-mixed following directives from the High Court.
PWD Executive Engineer for National Highways, Jude Carvalho, disclosed that the department had requested the contractor to procure a mechanised broomer to mitigate the acute dust issues caused by ongoing elevated corridor construction.
However, the contractor appears hesitant to proceed with the purchase after certain stretches of the road were hotmixed.
“Since some road sections have been hotmixed, the contractor seems reluctant to invest in a mechanised broomer,” Carvalho said.
He noted that the widened portion of the highway, from O’Coqueiro Hotel to Shivaji statue, has already been hotmixed.
He also confirmed plans to hotmix the stretch from Damian de Goa to the Sangolda junction in the coming days.
“The hotmixing is a temporary measure aimed at alleviating dust pollution during the construction phase. Once the elevated corridor is complete, the entire road will be properly serviced and hotmixed according to specifications,” he added.
The move comes as a relief to commuters and residents who have been grappling with the adverse effects of dust pollution.
However, concerns persist over whether these temporary measures will suffice to address the issue until the elevated corridor project is completed.
The PWD and contractors are under pressure to implement effective solutions to ensure safer and cleaner conditions for motorists and residents along this vital highway.
