MLAs want highway toll for locals scrapped
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 25
Amid calls from the Members of Goa Legislative Assembly, whose constituencies would be affected by the expansion of the National Highway 17, for scrapping of toll for the locals, the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Monday said that he would take up the issue with the Union Minister.
The Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Kamal Nath would be in Goa for the felicitation function of Commissioner of NRIs Eduardo Faleiro, tomorrow.
“At a joint presentation today by the committee, the legislators demanded that they need detailed information on the expansion plans,” Kamat told Herald after the meeting.
The chief minister also admitted that there were demands for scrapping the heavy toll for locals, which would be charged after expansion.
“The MLAs wanted the toll to be scrapped for locals to which I have assured them to take up the matter with the minister,” he said.
However, Kamat was quick to add that the minister would be attending a function and only if time permits he will discuss the issue or else will meet him in Delhi whenever he visits.
The MLAs, during the joint presentation by the committee which included officials of the National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Department, Land Survey, demanded that proper planning be done for the expansion of highway.
Kamat also said that individual presentation to each MLAs would also be given by the committee from tomorrow so that they know how many structures exactly would be demolished in their constituency.
PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao, Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira were present for the meeting.
