PANAJI
The State government has directed the Public Works Department and the agency responsible for the elevated corridor project in Porvorim to minimize dust pollution along the entire construction stretch. They have also been instructed to install signage for commuter directions and deploy traffic marshals to assist with traffic management.
A joint inspection led by Advocate General Devidas Pangam was conducted on November 12 in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Margao-based lawyer Moses Pinto in the Bombay High Court at Goa. The petitioner sought the court to order an audit, repair, and enhancement of key road sections, particularly those impacted by ongoing projects like the NH66 elevated corridor.
“There is a lot of dust pollution on the entire stretch of the construction site of the elevated corridor. Regular sprinkling of water is required to be carried out. Directional and informational sign boards like “keep left,” “road closed,” “no parking,” “diversion ahead,” “narrow road ahead,” etc to be installed at the site of construction work for the information of the general public,” reads the report by the joint inspection team which also comprised officials from Traffic, PWD and RRSM agency.
“Traffic marshals to be deployed to assist traffic police in regulating traffic. Supervisor be deputed/appointed by PWD to supervise the work who shall be available on the work site.”
Besides seeking to improve proper signage, road markings and adequate lighting to mitigate congestion and accidents, the petitioner had further alleged a rise in accidents and fatalities was owing to poor infrastructure, lack of systematic enforcement of traffic laws and failure to implement international road safety best practices.
“Traffic marshals to be deployed to assist traffic police in regulating traffic. Supervisor be deputed/appointed by PWD to supervise the work who shall be available on the work site.”
In the report, the team also suggested further improvements from Sangolda junction to the Mahindra showroom such as filling potholes, relocating the traffic signal at Sangolda junction and making it operational on priority, and clearing loose gravels and illegal encroachment, etc. Suggestions were even made for improvements from Damian de Goa to O’Coqueiro junction and from O’Coqueiro junction to the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue.
