The proposal to build a loop (arm) to connect the city of Vasco with the flyover that connects gate number 9 of Mormugao port Trust (MPT) has entered into controversies with citizens, local municipal body as well as the Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida deciding to oppose the flyover loop because the same if implemented would cause a traffic disaster in the city.
The four-lane NH17 B road project starting from its junction at Verna and terminating at the Mormugao Port with flyover from Baina to MPT began several years ago with the intention to decongest the city of Vasco. As per NHAI officials, the original plan prepared by the NHAI had no loop connecting Vasco city, however after the national highway wing of state PWD took over the project from NHAI, the consultant appointed by the PWD designed a loop/arm that originates from the flyover near IOC junction and lands near Madina masjid on FL Gomes road in Vasco.
In November 2017, PWD officials in presence of Deputy Collector Mormugao Mahadev Arundekar held meetings with other officials of taluka administration and after lengthy discussions approved traffic diversion and part closer of the F L Gomes road (from IOC junction to HP Petrol Pump) in the city of Vasco for the speedy construction of ramps for the loop.
Later, the Vasco MLA and MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik raised strong objections to a proposal to close down FL Gomes road was kept on hold. They also alleged that the loop proposal is not properly planned and if implemented would lead to severe traffic chaos in the city. The issue was even debated in the recently concluded winter Assembly session and finally the project embroiled into controversy.
“I feel that the project consultant has not done a good job. He should have taken into account various aspects including traffic and width of FL Gomes road. It will be a traffic disaster if this is allowed. I am totally against it and hence I have asked the PWD minister to hold an inspection to resolve the issue. It seems that consultant prepared the plan by sitting in AC office and by not taking ground reality into consideration,” Almeida said.
“The landing point of the loop from the four-lane road that is proposed to land near Madina masjid on FL Gomes road will be biggest traffic disaster if implemented. The landing point is not feasible and the same was also opined by the traffic police. Secondly, they have failed to obtain any permission from the local municipal body as well as from Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) which is a nodal agency that prepares plans for the city,” he said.
Almeida, while suggesting that the landing point of the loop needs to be shifted felt that the landing point of the loop should be shifted further and it would be better if the flyover could be taken further inside the port area and from port the landing point can be made near TB Cunha Chawk in Khariwado. Also since loop is required for city connectivity, another landing point or loop can be made near Ravindra Bhavan, Baina but to do this MPT needs to demolish and relocated their few buildings, he added.
While Vasco MLA launched a tirade against the flyover loop citing poor planning, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) as well as concerned citizens of Vasco has decided to corner the PWD for failing to obtain mandatory permission/licence from the council before taking up such project.
As per provisions of Municipality act and under Goa land Development and Building construction regulation 2010, there is no exemption for issue of construction license. The information in the LAQ reply during winter session of state assembly highlights the absolute contempt that concerned agencies have for local authorities. In this case, not only are they grossly in breach of the law but have evaded state and municipal revenues as well, said Vasco-based activist Savio Correia.
“While I am not against development projects by concerned agencies, I feel they must respect the federal structure and abide by the law of the land. I hope the MMC and MPDA will act firmly in this matter. Also as per my own calculations the construction licence fee would have been about Rs. 6 Cr per year (1.5 per cent of cost of construction Rs. 397 Cr),” he added.
MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik too was not convinced. “It appears that there is lack of proper planning as they planned for a loop but keeping local body aside. Till date they even failed to show us project plan. Even we wanted to discuss the issue during the council meeting. Similarly they have failed to obtain any permission from us. We don’t oppose their project but they should do it as per law and by taking stakeholders into confidence. I have presently asked them to stop work till they apply and obtain proper permissions from us,” he said.
