MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
MARGAO, APRIL 6
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday has virtually ruled out the question of realigning the NH-4 highway passing through Ponda taluka on technical grounds, but has left it for the political class to take a final decision on the route.
NHAI chief General Manager A K Mathur told newsmen after attending a meeting convened by South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha that it was not possible to go for a realignment of the route at this late stage when bids have been invited for the four-laning work. Home Minister Ravi Naik, PWD officials, besides residents of Ponda attended the meeting in the district collectorate here this morning.
Mathur, however, hastened to add that the NHAI will try to minimize the damage to houses and institutions, including places of worship all along the route. “The NHAI will go by the existing NH-4 alignment along the Ponda route. The government has already acquired land for the purpose,” he said.
After deliberations on the demand made by the residents of Ponda taluak for a realignment of the four-lane route, it was decided to inspect the affected route along with the NHAI officials and the Home Minister later in the evening.
The meeting decided to have another round of meeting next Tuesday to take a final decision on the matter.
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha told the officials that the four-lane highway should be built with minimum damage to the residential houses. He said the NHAI should try to build the highway with least damage. “The residents have raised apprehension that large number of houses will go for demolition if the present alignment is maintained. We are trying to save the houses and at the same time build the highway with least damage,” Sardinha said.
The MP said that wherever possible, the NHAI should maintain the old alignment as it is not possible to acquire forest area for road construction. “The Ministry of Forest and Environment make it difficult to give forest land for roads,” he said.
The Home Minister said the residents of Ponda taluka are not opposing the highway, but want their houses and buildings saved from demolition.
He favoured that the highway width be restricted to 30 meters from Mollem to Panjim.
Pointing out that the land was acquired for the highway in the year 1992, he said the people came to know of the highway construction only in November when additional land was sought to be acquired for the purpose. “I am asking the government to reduce the road alignment to save the houses and buildings. Ponda taluka is a hilly area,” he added.
