MARGAO
Misplaced priority has come back to haunt the "double-engine" BJP government once again.
On a day when Margao MLA Digambar Kamat called on Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to thank him for giving the centre’s nod for the Victor hospital-La Flor hotel flyover on the Margao ring road, questions were raised on social media why the government has failed to build a flyover at the Comba railway crossing to rid the area of the traffic bottlenecks.
As Kamat’s message thanking the Union Minister went viral on social media, citizens questioned why the BJP government did not take up the flyover at the Comba railway crossing first when the area, playing host to an educational hub, is prone to traffic jams and congestion.
In fact, citizens feared that the situation would further aggravate at Comba in the coming months when additional passenger and freight trains will run on the tracks with the South Western Railway commissioning the track doubling project in Goa.
When The Goan contacted the Margao MLA, who is presently in Delhi, he said the government had proposed two flyovers at Margao, one on the ring road between Victor hospital-La Flor hotel and the second one near the Comba railway crossing. “Since the two flyovers will cost the Centre around Rs 200 crore, Union Minister Gadkari has cleared the first flyover on the ring road. I have requested the Union Minister to clear the second flyover at the Comba railway crossing, which he has assured to do so in the near future,” Kamat said.
He added: “I have got the Victor hospital-La Flor hotel flyover cleared from the centre under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). Normally, the centre funds projects on the national highways, but the Minister has approved the flyover at my request. As far as the Comba railway crossing flyover is concerned, such flyovers are normally built by the railways with 50 per cent funding from the State government. But, I have requested Nitin Gadkari to clear the Comba flyover as well.”
In his tweet, Kamat stated, “Proud to share that I met Nitin Gadkari in Delhi and congratulated him on becoming Union Minister of Roads and Transportation. I thanked him for approving the elevated ring road and requested to expedite the approval for the proposed R.O.B. at Comba. These projects are the need of the hour and will greatly benefit our beloved Madgaonkars. The unwavering support and resilience of the people of Margao make our dreams for a better city possible. Together, we are building a brighter future,” he said.
Viriato raises Borim bridge concerns with Gadkari
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes on Wednesday called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari and highlighted the anxiety and concern of farmers concerning the construction of the proposed Borim bridge that will destroy the Khazans and agricultural land.
The MP informed that he discussed the possible solutions to the Borim bridge and highway expansion issues facing the people and farmers and requested the Minister to take the main stakeholders -- farmers and villagers -- into confidence and address their concerns.
Capt Viriato also sought time from the Minister to meet the delegation of Congress leadership of Goa and also the affected villagers, during his visit to Goa next week.
“Today, I called on Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and apprised him of the issues faced by villagers concerning the highway expansion works at a number of locations in South Goa constituency, including Loutolim, Nuvem, Chinchinim, Cuncolim, Bhoma, etc,” he stated.
