PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Saturday afternoon held a joint inspection with officials of PWD, Traffic and other departments concerned at various areas along the stretch of NH17A between Cortalim circle and Dabolim Airport.
Dhavalikar told reporters that the joint inspection was carried out to get vital inputs from the traffic police and PWD engineers to draw up a plan for the smooth movement of traffic if a traffic diversion plan was finalised.
“These inputs will be considered during the inspection of the road between Cortalim circle and Sharayu Toyota showroom on Sunday evening, where TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho will be present.”
The minister said they had conducted a joint inspection of all the areas on Saturday to get proper inputs which are important in order to have a proper traffic diversion plan so that people are not put to inconvenience.
“Everyone has to reach their destinations on time and especially the movement of emergency services has to be smooth.”
“Whatever we have observed and discussed during the inspection, along with suggestions from traffic police and PWD engineers, will be put forth and a drawing will be ready by Saturday evening.”
“This drawing will be shown during our meeting on Sunday at 4 pm, wherein TCP Minister, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and the Panchayats Minister will be present.”
“We will have an inspection on the stretch of the road between Cortalim Circle and Sharayu Toyota showroom which is proposed to be closed,” said Dhavalikar.
Will involve panchayats only after
taking final decision: PWD Minister
VASCO: PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Saturday made it clear that taking surrounding panchayats into confidence while discussing traffic diversion plans did not arise at this stage.
“Once the decision is finalised, the surrounding panchayat bodies will be informed,” said Dhavalikar.
“The question of taking panchayats into confidence at this stage does not arise as we have not decided anything in this regards as yet. Once we are done with the inspection and we are ready with our decision on the road closure, then we will inform the surrounding panchayats about the decision.”
“Till the time we don’t arrive at a particular decision, we will not speak on this issue. We have to primarily decide first whether we want to close the stretch of road immediately or if we need some more time on this,” added Dhavalikar.
‘Multiple claimants for farmers’ compensation a question’
VASCO: PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Saturday said the compensation of farmers was ready a long time ago, but there was a confusion in the issue of cheques as there were multiple claimants for every farm. “We had kept all the settlement and compensation ready for a long time now but the problem is that for one piece of farmland there are many claimants and in some cases, there is no consensus among family members who own the farm.”
“We cannot offer compensation if four people ask for the amount for the same farm. The compensation amount is pending because they (family members) have not decided as to whom the PWD should issue the cheque to.”
“We are always ready to go with the farmers. If they are ready to give us their farmlands to make a service road, we can have a clear-cut lease agreement as it will be better for us and everyone,” said Dhavlikar.
