MARGAO
Four-laning of the seven-km stretch of National Highway-66 from Navelim to Cuncolim will certainly bring good news for motorists and travellers on the congested highway.
The launch of the four-lane project by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, at a cost of Rs 747 crore, however, is not new to the residents of Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim.
The reason is not far to seek. After waging a sustained movement for over the last decade and a half in support of a road bypass at Dandeavaddo, the residents have realised the bitter truth that the government has almost bulldozed its way with an elevated corridor at Dandeavaddo.
With the Union Minister launching the four-lane Navelim-Cuncolim project and the PWD, NH gearing up to float tenders, beleaguered residents now pin their hopes on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to meet their demand.
In a final attempt to voice their concerns, a delegation led by Chinchinim Sarpanch Frank Viegas and former Sarpanch Valentino Barretto met with Chief Minister Sawant during the Union Minister's visit to Goa. The delegation urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the elevated corridor plan and instead support the construction of a bypass, which they believe would benefit both the local residents and the government by avoiding the higher costs associated with the elevated corridor.
The delegation also informed the Chief Minister that the local Communidade bodies, owning the land, are in favour of issuing their NOCs, for the government to take up the work of the road bypass.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed, hoping that the Chief Minister can convince the Union Ministry to reconsider the decision,” the Sarpanch said.
What has further added to the residents' disappointment is the fact that the government has agreed to the request made by Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao to build a flyover at Panzorconen, which would protect local homes in that area, but has not extended the same consideration to Dandeavaddo.
