TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
BELGAUM: Various issues to develop road and rail infrastructure in order to improve trade between Belgaum and Goa were discussed at a meeting of Mormugao Port Trust and Belgaum District Administration in Belgaum on Friday.
MPT Chairman P Mara Pandiyan and Deputy Commissioner of Belgaum N Jayaram held detailed talks on various issues, including the doubling of the railway track between Tinaighat and Vasco.
Pandiyan, who discussed about the deteriorating condition of the Belgaum-Panjim NH4A, agreed to put up a joint effort to convince NHAI authorities to repair the road and to expedite the proposed four-laning of this highway.
“An all-out effort will be made to take up this work on priority for the benefit of people from Belgaum and Goa,” Pandiyan assured delegates at the meeting on Friday.
Later addressing a press conference, he told reporters that issues related to the disputed 5-km stretch between MPT and NH17 have been resolved. “The Center has sanctioned Rs 150 crore for the completion of the new road connecting the port,” he said.
Jayaram, who was appointed by the State government as the head of the tribunal, said almost all the issues related to land acquisition for the four-laning in Khanapur and Belgaum taluka have been resolved.
“I have convinced farmers from Khanapur and Belgaum who were opposing the land acquisition. NHAI officials have already commenced acquiring the disputed land for the 9-km Peeranwadi-Halga by-pass on the NH4A. Hence, immediately after the rainy season, the repairs and the proposed four and six laning will be taken up,” he said.
Delegates have also expressed the necessity of the proposed doubling of the Vasco-Tinaighat railway line, stating that it would give a major boost to the economy of the region in various ways.
Senior railway official from Hyderabad, Kalyan Raman, told reporters that the issue will be discussed with the Railway Board.
When asked about the strong opposition by the Goa government, Pandiyan said railways already own the required land for its proposed doubling of the track. “However, the issue is expected to be resolved amicably at a few stretches where the land is expected to be acquired,” he said.
