KARAN SEHGAL
PANAJI
Even as a decision eludes the State government on the question of closure of a four-kilometer stretch of the National Highway at Cortalim-Kesarval and the consequent need to divert traffic through three potential alternatives, it has now emerged that the original contract’s fine print puts the onus for the confusion on the State government and not Dilip Buildcon, the contractor. A senior official of Dilip Buildcon asserted that the contract signed with the government includes a condition that the government will have to provide traffic diversion land.
In other words, the whole controversy has erupted because the government has not been able to provide the land to enable diversion of traffic.
Atul Joshi, vice president, Dilip Buildcon, said, “Two years ago when we signed the contract with the government, it had a specific condition saying that the government will have to provide diversion land. Until now, diversion land has not been provided.”
The 3.2 kilometre long stretch between petrol pump in Verna and Cortalim junction is supposed to become an elevated road. In order to build the elevated road, the traffic has to be diverted. Joshi further said, “If the government provides us 10 meter land on either side of the road, then the traffic could be diverted from there and we will be able to carry on the construction.” But, the government is not able to provide 10 meter land on either side of the road. As a result, the government is left with no option but to find a much longer route to divert the traffic.
It will become really dangerous for commuters to travel beneath the elevated road while it is getting constructed. This is the reason the traffic has to be diverted.
So far, the government has maintained that it will have to close the 3.2 kilometre stretch from Cortalim junction to petrol pump in Verna for construction of Zuari Bridge.
The initially proposed 22 kilometre diversion has met with stiff opposition from the people. Faced with such stiff opposition, PWD Minister, Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, had said that two internal routes were being explored to reduce the distance of proposed traffic diversion.
WHAT DOES VICE PRESIDENT
OF BUILDCON HAVE TO SAY ...
Two years ago when we signed the contract, it had a specific condition saying that the government will have to provide diversion land. Until now, diversion land has not been provided
If the government provides us 10 meter land on either side of the road, then the traffic could be diverted from there and we will be able to carry on the construction
GOVT STAND SO FAR
Will have to close the 3.2 kilometre stretch from Cortalim junction to petrol pump in Verna
Two internal routes are being explored to reduce the distance of proposed traffic diversion
