PANJIM: While the expansion of NH66 is in full swing in North Goa, the Public Works Department and the National Highways Authority of India for some strange reasons haven’t been able to remove one “illegal” structure right on the junction.
As one leaves from Panjim KTC stand, the work on the highway is on in full swing. However, it seems to hit a pause at the dead-end of the Merces-St Cruz junction. The owner of the restaurant “Niyaaz” has refused to give in.
What is surprising is the owner of the “illegal” restaurant Niyaaz, has even dragged the local panchayat to court. Locals say the flyover at the junction is a necessity given the number of accidents taking place every given day. When Herald contacted PWD officials, they only said the land acquisition process is still on.
PWD Chief Engineer Vijaykumar Verenkar said the land acquisition process is still on and he had no more details.
The CE then forwarded this reporter to the WD VII EE Narayan Mayenkar, who too claimed he had no idea of the current status.
“Land acquisition on the entire stretch is remaining up to Bambolim and as such I cannot specifically give you details of just one case,” he said.
Asked how long this process would take, he said, maybe three more months.
“I cannot say exactly how long though” he said.
