THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Minister of Roads Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday inaugurated the country's second longest cable-stayed eight-lane Zuari Bridge.
Right-hand side (4-lane corridor) across the Zuari River and approaches from Bambolim to Verna were thrown open for vehicular traffic from Thursday night.
The 640-metre-long bridge and the 13.20 km roads on both sides have been built in 3 phases. Gadkari also launched the PWD Goa App for integrated operations management. Through the insurance scheme of the Government of Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has given Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the workers who died during the construction of the bridge.
The Zuari Bridge work began in June 2016. After inaugurating the bridge, Gadkari while delivering his speech in Marathi said, “Zuari Bridge is bigger than the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai. It is my dream to have a revolving restaurant and viewing tower and I will help you to make it viable.”
The minister said that his ministry has decided to spend Rs 25,000-30,000 crore on Goa for infrastructure.
“The Tourism sector contributes 49 per cent of employment. It is my responsibility to make this viewing gallery atop the Zuari Bridge tower a reality. We will sit together and discuss how to execute the project,” Gadkari told Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Replying to CM Sawant’s request for a circular road for Goa, Gadkari said, “Ring circular road will cost nothing less than Rs 22,000 crore. I will study the proposal and revert soon.”
Sawant said, “Last three days many criticised the Government for not opening the bridge for vehicular traffic. But it was important to have the person who gave so much for Goa last 8 years for development that couldn’t happen in 50 years inaugurate the bridge.”
The Chief Minister also requested a sound and light show at Zuari on the lines of Nagpur. “A revolving restaurant will definitely happen and will be the first of its kind in India. The project will be built on a BOT (Build Operate Transfer) basis with contribution from State and Centre,” the CM added.
PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said, “Next year, the other side of the bridge will be commissioned. There will be walkways on both sides and the foundations of the pillars have been built to have a viewing tower above.”
