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DREDGING WILL BENEFIT
BOTH, STATE AND THE
COUNTRY, SAYS MINISTER
>> See pg 5
SIX RIVERS IN GOA
TO BE DEVELOPED
AS INLAND WATERWAYS
>> See pg 4
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THE NITIN GADKARI GOODIES
* Nearly Rs 2000 cr to be spent on development of 350-km NH
* Green signal to develop Panaji-Ponda-Belgaum 69-km NH-4A
* Construction of six elevated roads costing nearly Rs 2000 cr
* Six laning of NH-17 expected to begin in six months from
* Nearly Rs 2500 crore worth funds approved for Six laning of NH-17
* Rs 200 cr approved under road safety for improving accidental spots
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PANAJI: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is in Goa with a bonanza of projects on hand for the State; it's worth a whopping over Rs 10,000 crore.
The announcement to this effect came after the Union minister laid the foundation stone for the proposed Rs 2600 crore cable-stayed bridge across river Zuari and three other developmental works including constructions of Margao Western National Highway bypass (NH-17), Canacona National Highway bypass (NH-17) and construction of missing link (NH-17B) in Loutolim village at Verna Industrial Estate.
Addressing the gathering, he said, “Nearly 350-km of National Highway costing nearly Rs 2000 crore will be developed in Goa. This includes 45-kms long road from Karaswada-Sankhli-Ponda-Usgao, 5-km lane between NH 4A and NH 17 B at Ponda-Bethoda-Borim, 50-kms long road connecting Sankhli-Valpoi-Collem and 250-kms long road under the Bharatmala project. I have still not received a recommendation regarding this from Goa.”
He also granted approval to develop the 69-km NH-4A between Panaji-Ponda-Belgaum. Nearly 6 locations on this route have been identified wherein elevated corridors will be constructed to control congestion. The cost of these 19-km elevated corridors is Rs 2000 crores.
Gadkari also announced construction of six elevated roads costing nearly Rs 2000 crores.
“The work on the six elevated roads is expected to begin in six months. These are from Safa Masjid to Farmagudi, Farmagudi to Veling-Mardol, Veling-Mardol to Kundaim, Kundaim to Bhoma and Bhoma to Banastari and Banastari to Old Goa”, he said.
Additionally the six laning of NH-17 at Patradevi-Panaji-Pollem is expected to begin in six months from now and nearly Rs 2500 crore worth funds have been approved for the same.
“To improve accidental spots, we have given in-principle approval of Rs 200 crores under road safety. The State should take up this work on priority,” said Gadkari further approving the development of the accident prone zone near Bambolim slope.
He said that the work on these projects is expected to begin by December and urged the Government to submit the DPRs to the centre as early as possible.
Also present on the occasion were Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik, MPs Shantaram Naik and Narendra Sawaikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and MLAs, among others.
