A link (service) road that could ease traffic congestion in rapidly growing Porvorim is nearing completion, but not many may be aware that this road had been approved nearly two decades ago but was virtually forgotten by elected representatives all this time.
Work on the 1.5 km link road from Sai Service Station to the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) centre started shortly after the foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Manohar Parriker on February 25, 2013.
While laying the foundation stone, Parriker had assured that the link road would be completed within six months.
“However, the work was delayed due to incessant rains in June and July 2013. Moreover, there was a delay in receiving approval from the Finance department for the budget estimates,” said a PWD source.
According to sources, the Town and Country Planning Department had given approval to the link road way back in 1997 and the Comunidade of Serula had also issued its NOC to the construction of the road.
“But since the Penha-da-Franca panchyat and the former MLA did not take the initiative to pursue the matter, the link road did not see the light of day till now. The project was revived only when Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte realized the need for the link road in view of growing traffic and increasing number of road mishaps in Porvorim,” said the source.
“Khaunte took the initiative and got this project approved once again and ensured that the work started.”
Speaking to Herald, Khaunte said the link road would be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.7 crore.
“Besides, Rs 3 crore will be spent on the construction of 2.5-metre wide footpaths on either side of the link road. The entire road will also be illuminated and there will also be a parapet all along the link road,” said Khaunte.
Explaining the purpose for reviving the 17-year-old project, Khaunte said, “This link road was the long-pending demand of the people. Traffic between the Mandovi bridge and Alto Porvorim market has increased immensely and this route has become an accident-prone zone. The link road will greatly reduce traffic on the national highway.”
But while tarring of the link road has already commenced and is on verge of completion, the electricity department is yet to begin work to install the electric poles.
“In all, 30 electric poles will be installed on this 1.5 km route and these comprise 25 poles of 33 KV lines and five poles of 11 KV lines,” said a source in the electricity department.
“The budget estimates to erect these poles is Rs 32.6 lakh and the work has also been tendered. However, the Public Works Department has not paid the amount to the Electricity department as yet and as a result, the Electricity department has not directed the contractor to erect the poles.”
“As soon as this amount is paid by the PWD, the electricity department will ask the contractor to start the work to erect the electricity poles and it should be completed within a month,” the source added.
