PORVORIM: The State government on Monday admitted that faulty alignment for the flyover at Ponda has resulted in glitches and assured that land for the construction of an underpass will soon be acquired in order to overcome the present problem.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that government will initiate the process to acquire the land within one or two months.
The reply was in response to a Calling Attention tabled by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik stating that the closure of existing entry to the road leading to Sahapur, Bandora, Safa Masjid and Chirputem wards have caused inconvenience to the commuters and pedestrians.
He blamed the government for faulty alignment and plan while constructing the flyover and now seeking steps to resolve the issue.
Minister for PWD Deepak Pauskar admitted that the faulty alignment was replaced as a part of rectification plan. However, the second alignment led to the problems in the Chirputem Village leading to traffic nuisance such as accidents and law violations.
The Congress MLA told the House that several accidents have occurred at the site even as the motorists from Chirputem wards have to cover an additional 1.5 kms due to the existing work. He also pointed out to traffic violations.
Chief minister intervened in the discussion assuring to begin the process of land acquisition for an underpass within one or two months, which would solve the problem in Chirputem. In the meantime, he said, a traffic signal will be installed to manage the vehicular traffic.
In his written reply, the PWD minister stated that the Ponda grade separator constructed as part of four-lane project between KM 118/00 (par Usgao) to KM 125/00 (Safa Masjid) was recently opened for all types of vehicular traffic. The existing crossing in front of Safa Masjid structure has been closed for uninterrupted/incident free flow of highway and city traffic.
“Required road safety measures such as speed breakers, rumble strips, cautionary/mandatory/informatory signboards and other traffic aids are in place for overall traffic safety. For convenience of two wheelers and pedestrians, separate lane has been constructed on RHS service road between military camp and Safa Masjid for proceeding to KTC bus stand and surrounding areas,” he stated.
“The other vehicular traffic is diverted via GVM’s circle proceeding to said destinations. Since the junction in front of Safa Masjid is within the prohibited zone of ASI, no elevated structure or VUP is allowed. The national monuments authority had granted permission only to widen the existing carriageway,” he added.
