Porvorim: The link road (service road) in Porvorim that starts at the District Institute of Training and Education and ends at the Hero showroom has become an accident-prone zone. Although the work of the link road has not been completed, vehicles have already started plying the road.
Nowadays, due to frequent traffic congestion near the Sai service junction due to the ongoing work of the third Mandovi Bridge, the traffic police have started diverting heavy vehicles via this link road. Recently, several minor accidents have taken place, particularly at the entrance of the Housing Board junction and Azad Bhavan, as no speed-breakers have been constructed on this road.
The foundation stone for this 1.5 km link road costing Rs 2.7 crore was laid by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on February 25, 2013. While laying the foundation stone, Parrikar had assured that the road would be completed within six months.
Even though 25 percent of the work of the third Mandovi Bridge has been completed, as claimed by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, the work of the service road is still incomplete.
When contacted, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte stated that Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation had taken up big projects and neglected small projects like service roads, which were essential for the general public. He added, “The road work is yet to be done. I have already written a letter to the CM requesting him to look into the matter and get the work of the link road completed soon.”
Penha de Franca former sarpanch Bhiku Sawant stated that two schools are located near this link road, and hence, diverting heavy vehicles via this road can prove to be dangerous. He added, “Traffic police should stop diverting heavy traffic and construct speed breakers at strategic locations on the service road to prevent accidents immediately, failing which citizens will be forced to launch agitations.”
