MARGAO: Against the backdrop of concerns raised about the proposed highway expansion between Verna and Nuvem, PWD officials played down local opposition, insisting that PWD will be using land that has already been acquired, and that the work is aimed at rectifying this accident-prone black spot.
It may be recalled that the Central govt had recently allocated Rs 20 crore to address safety concerns along the Nuvem-Verna stretch from Carmel College to Fr Agnel Ashram.
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According to PWD officials, plans involve expanding the highway within existing land holdings by the NH wing of the Department. They stress that no additional land acquisition is necessary, thus dismissing concerns around that. They added that the NH wing secured 30 metres of land in 1987, and widening efforts adhere to the Transport Department’s recommendations within this allocated area. Additionally, the project encompasses constructing a wide median, footpaths, and drainage systems, with plans to relocate streetlight poles. Despite its parallel alignment with the bustling Western Bypass, the officials underscore the imperative of enhancing the highway’s infrastructure before transferring the road to the State government. Elaborating on the concerns raised, officials affirm that all work remains confined within land acquired by the PWD, emphasising the median’s role in curbing head-on collision risks along the highway stretch.
It may be recalled that residents and business owners along NH 66 oppose the current widening, citing the existence of the Western Bypass. At a protest rally held last week, they argued that the bypass was meant to alleviate the need for widening this section of NH 66. Concerns include safety risks for nearby educational institutions and disruption to existing infrastructure like electricity, telecommunication, and water pipelines, and that the widening would necessitate demolishing more structures along the route. Residents urged a reevaluation, questioning the approval of the project despite the presence of the Western Bypass. They have written to the authorities in this regard.
