Team Herald
CANACONA: On the sidelines of the inspection of the 7.74 km four-lane bypass road, which links Charrasta to Mashem, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday, said that the work should be finished soon and the road will be commissioned by July 20, at the hands of Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Ghadkari.
The 7.74 km four-lane road for which the land was acquired as early as 1980, is finally nearing completion with 90 % of the work being completed till now.
The project costing Rs 272 crores, which had commenced in December 2015 has missed many deadlines over the years. Local residents have been waiting on either side with bated breath for the finished bypass which will reduce travelling time from Chaudi to Mashem by 10 kms.
The present stretch of NH66 passing through Poinguinim is narrow with deadly turns and passes through forested land with many bottlenecks enroute.
The present 4 lane alignment with a width of 21.5 mts will reduce travelling time from Canacona to Karwar by almost 30 minutes.
The Galgibagha-Mashem bridge is 980 mts long and has 31 spans of 30 mts and one span above the river is 50 mts in length which is so constructed for navigational purposes.
While the Talpona bridge is 450 mts long and has 10 spans of 40 mts and one span of 50 Mts.
The CM was accompanied by the officials from the PWD National Highways, Canacona MLA Isidor Fernandes, former minister Ramesh Tawadkar, former MLA Vijay Pai Khot, Loliem-Polem sarpanch Ajay Lolienkar, Mashem panch Nishant Prabhudesai and other locals.
Taking advantage of the visit by the CM, local MLA Isidore Fernandes brought to his notice the grievances and issues faced by residents who are residing close to the new road.
Fernandes also requested the CM to open an Aadhar card centre in Canacona as the centre in Margao is too far for the residents of Canacona. Sawant assured that he would look into the case sympathetically.
When asked when the work on the four-lane road between Charrasta to Balli will be undertaken, Sawant said that it will be taken in the second phase.
“Except for the approach road to the Mashem side and placing of girders on the two piers on the Mashem side of Galgibaga river all other work is completed till now and in all probability the linking road will be thrown open for commuters on July 20 July at the hands of Nitin Ghadkari”, said Sawant .
