MARGAO: Reacting to the reply given to Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro by Union Highway Minister Nitin Gakdari on Wednesday regarding the proposed highway expansion in Chinchinim village, the local panchayat has criticised the State PWD department for not being transparent.
Faleiro had asked the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRT&H) if it had received representations from the village panchayat of Chinchinim, Action Committee for the widening of NH 17/66 regarding the bypass road at Dandevado, Chinchinim and details of alternative alignments in the jurisdiction of the village.
Faleiro also asked if the Government is aware that the existing highway is passing through congested villages with residential and commercial houses abutting on both sides of the proposed road having five major cross junctions leading to heavy traffic and accidents
“The State PWD of Goa has received representation from the village panchayat/action committee for widening of NH-17/66. State PWD has submitted 3 alternative alignments for the stretch from KM 555.00 to KM 585.780 (Margao bypass end point to Canacona bypass start point). Based on the recommendations of PWD and techno-economic feasibility, one of the alignments was approved,” said Gadkari.
Chinchinim Sarpanch Valentino Barretto said that the replies proved that it was the local PWD that had sent its proposal to the Central government as opposed to what was being told to them all this time that these decisions were solely of the Central PWD.
He explained that this is important as the local PWD were so far putting the onus on the Central PWD, as if to suggest the matter is out of their hands.
The Sarpanch added that this means the local PWD has the power to do much more than it is saying and he urged the State government to fulfil the demands of the people.
It may be recalled that the Chincinim Sarpanch had met Gadkari in Goa where the Union Highway Minister was appealed to intervene and give justice to the long pending demand of the people of Chinchinim to consider Alternate-1 as a proposal for the bypass road NH-66.
Faleiro had also asked MoRT&H about the proposed widening of NH 17/66 from Navelim-Dramapur bridge passing through Dramapur Village, whether the government is aware of the heavy traffic at the ‘T’ junction connecting the villages of Dramapur, Sarzora and Gudi-Paroda villages in Salcete.
