the goan I network
MARGAO
As Cuncolkars keep their fingers crossed over the alignment of the proposed Cuncolim-Balli bypass, The Goan takes a close look at the three alternate alignments proposed by the National Highways for the consideration of the local government and the people inhabiting the town.
Of the three alignments, the Ministry of Road Transport had given its nod way back in April 2017 for the alignment which bypasses Cuncolim town at Uskinibandh before heading towards Sanvorcotto-Culvado-Comba and exiting near the Balli Primary Health Centre.
This alignment, however, had evoked strong protests from the residents of Panzorconne, as the bypass was proposed along the existing highway up to the Uskinibandh on the ground that land required for the project was already in possession of the national highway.
Residents of Dandeavaddo in neighbouring Chinchinim village had also joined the protests on grounds that the proposed bypass would take away their remaining land, having already surrendered their scarce land for the highway.
Taking note of the sentiments of the local populace, former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar directed the National Highways to come out with three alignments, promising to finalise the best alignment taking note of the future traffic requirements and the least damage to houses and structures.
Alignment No I prepared by the NH shows that the bypass starts from Sirlim village, meters away from the residence of WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, bypasses the Dandeavaddo section and meets the existing highway near the Village Gate restaurant, before running parallel to the Konkan railway tracks and meeting the national highway near the Balli PHC.
Alignment No 2 starts from existing highway near the NUSI hospital, before taking a turn towards Veroda. The bypass then runs parallel to the KR tracks before meeting the highway at the Balli PHC.
A look at the three alignments proposed by the consultants show that Alignment No 1 is a completely new 11 km bypass, starting from Sirlim to Balli and will cost the exchequer Rs 537 crore to build, including Rs 249 crore for land acquisition. Around 26 structures will go for demolition on this alignment.
Difference is cost between the proposed Alignment No 1 and Alignment No 3, which is favoured by the National Highways, is approximately Rs 64 crore.
While the Ministry of Road Transport has favoured alignment No III on grounds that portion of the land is already in its possession and will reduce the cost by Rs 64 crore, those rooting for Alignment No 1 say the alignment running parallel to the railway tracks will take into traffic movement, not just from Polem to Patradevi, but from Cochin to Mumbai along the west coast, in the long run.
Will Dandeavaddo get its elevated corridor?
MARGAO: An elevated corridor has been proposed by the National Highways at Dandeavaddo in Chinchinim village as part of the construction of the Cuncolim bypass.
In fact, the elevated corridor, over a distance of one kilometer, has been proposed at Dandeavaddo ward, which presently is facing the brunt of the heavy traffic plying on the National highway.
The elevated corridor is proposed in both the Alignment No 2 and 3 by the consultants and this is one reason why the cost of the Cuncolim bypass has shot up considerably in the overall estimate.
Dandeavaddo will lose the elevated corridor if the government accepts alignment no 1, starting from Sirlim, which bypasses Dandeavaddo area.
