Pilot NH4A project up to Old Goa to begin by Nov
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 27 July 2012 17:15 IST
A pilot project of NH 4A national highway with four lanes would begin by November this year, from Panaji to Old Goa, with a fly over at Merces.
“In view of the agitation taken place in the past to oppose widening of the national highway from Panaji to Mollem, this is an exercise of create confidence among the people”, said PWD minister Sudin Dhawalikar.
During a discussion with the issue raised by Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, Dhawalikar informed the House that the project worth Rs 156 crore will demolish only nine structures, three in Chimbel and six in Old Goa.
“We will raise the road if we have to save too many houses”, added chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
The Panaji-Old Goa stretch will have a width of 29 mts while the state has already acquired 45 mts of land for the widening, said the PWD minister.
Replying to opposition leader Pratapsing Rane’s query, Dhawalikar said the cost of the whole national highway in Goa would be borne on 60:40 basis with the state bearing 60 per cent of its expenditure.
The real bottleneck, said the minister, is at Bhoma, where some people will have to be rehabilitated.
The government plans to take up survey of the whole stretch in phases, from Old Goa to Banastari, then up to Farmagudi and then up to Khandepar.
“The final solution would be worked out in consultation with the people after the survey”, said Parrikar.
St Cruz MLA Babush Monseratte demanded that the land adjoining the proposed highway be frozen immediately in order to avoid the problem that occurred in Porvorim.
Dhawalikar said the government had already stopped issuing NOC to build structured along the roadside.
He also agreed that the state actually required land up to 60 metres in order to widen the highway up to six lanes in future.
He informed the House that the highway would even have a separate lane for two wheelers.
Why not have electrified tram service from Panaji to Old Goa. That would be pollution free, transport maximum people in short time.
This would be ideal during Old Goa novenas and feast.