MARGAO: The Union Ministry Of Road Transport And Highways (MoRTH) on Tuesday issued a notification for acquisition of 39.3184 hectare (3,93,184 sq mtrs) for construction of a new, high level Borim Bridge, along with approaches across River Zuari and a Bypass on NH 566.
The length of the proposed bypass is 5.73 Km. The Ministry has sought objections and suggestions from citizens interested in the land to be acquired, within 21 days. The objections are to be submitted to the Special Land Acquisition Officer, PWD-National Highways (NH), Altinho, Panjim, in writing. The plan of the land to be acquired is also available for public viewing at the PWD office.
It may be recalled that concerns regarding the land acquisition have already been raised over this issue with locals from Loutolim village for instance, following which a decision was taken by the Loutolim panchayat to convene a special gram sabha this Sunday, where this would be the single item that would be taken up.
Some of the locals also had plans about the proposed route for the approach roads to the bridge and the bridge structure.
The new bridge will connect Borim in Ponda taluka to Angadi, Loutolim in Salcete via Murme ward of Borim and is considered to be a necessity for vehicular transport, especially for heavy vehicles, between the talukas of Ponda and Salcete. The existing 37-year-old bridge sees thousands of commuters pass by on a daily basis.
It may be recalled that MoRTH has sanctioned Rs 306 crore to acquire land for ap-proach roads to the proposed new Borim bridge over the Zuari river.
Technogem Constructions Pvt Ltd, a Thane/ Maharashtra-based consultant company which was entrusted the work of consultancy since 2016 is expected to pursue the project and hand it over to PWD’s National Highways wing.
The consultant company had conducted the geostatistical study for the bridge in 2017 and had suggested three different routes over River Zuari and MoRTH had finalised the route between Loutolim and Borim.
