the goan I network
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday admitted that traffic snarls on the national highway due to the ongoing infrastructure work will continue, but assured that the administration is doing its best to minimize the hardships faced by commuters.
Sawant, who addressed a press conference at the Secretariat, said the situation will improve in a month’s time after the alternate route parallel to the Konkan Railway track is ready and commissioned.
The work on the new eight-lane Zuari bridge is getting prolonged as it cannot be executed during day time due to traffic problems, Sawant said, adding that the shortest alternate route alongside the railway track will reduce the inconvenience.
Sawant said only asphalting the alternate route is pending and would be commissioned in a month’s time.
Meanwhile, Union Roads and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is expected to inaugurate the new bypass from Char Rasta, Canacona to the Goa-Karwar border on Friday.
The bypass will reduce a nearly 23-kilometre distance on the Highway to a mere 7.74 kilometres.
It includes the long-pending three bridges - one each over the Talpona (450m), Galgibaga (500m) and Maxem (130m) rivers.
Sawant said, there will be inconvenience caused but it will have to be borne if new infrastructure projects are to be implemented by the government.
“Public should cooperate if they want good infrastructure,” he said.
‘Mhadei: Have patience’
Sawant said, the GFP’s petition before the National Green Tribunal which was dismissed last week has posed impediments for the State in its legal strategy. Seeking patience from the people, Sawant said: “Wait and watch. Mhadei result will be in Goa’s favour. I have faith in the Centre and Javadekar.”
