PANJIM: The grandiose plan to have a four-lane flyover at the O’Coqueiro junction, Porvorim has hit a roadblock due to a feasibility problem, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the State Assembly Thursday. Instead, his government has worked out an alternative for the same, which would be done in consultation with local MLA Rohan Khaunte.
Parrikar also announced that the much-needed widening of the entire NH 17 and NH 4A would be done through funding from Central government and Infrastructure Fund within the next six months.
The total cost of the project is expected to be Rs 5000 to Rs 6000 crore.
Speaking during Question Hour, Parrikar said the government decided to drop the four-lane flyover at the O’Coquerio junction as it is not feasible and was also creating obstruction in the widening the national highway, which was to be taken up on priority. He said an alternative has been worked out which would be finalised by September.
“The local MLA, tourism minister and other stakeholders would be invited for approving the alternative proposal,” the chief minister declared.
Parrikar, while replying to the question raised by Khaunte, said apprehensions of shop owners located on the either side of the road would be taken into consideration while going ahead with the project along with the six-laning of the road. As per the reply tabled in the House, government has said that the project has been kept on hold due to inadequate land width along the CHOGM road. The approximate cost of the project was Rs 12.32 crore.
Khaunte said GSIDC had floated tenders for two four-lane flyovers, one over the Karaswada junction at Mapusa and another over the O’Coqueiro junction at Porvorim in January.
