MARGAO, JAN 1
The PWD will have a meeting with NHAI later next week to review the road alignment of the NH-17 passing through South Goa.
PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao said that the NH-4 alignment has been finalised and the process to effect changes to the NH-17 alignment will be set in motion later next week.
“I have convened a meeting with the PWD, NHAI and other officials to discuss the NH-17 alignment. The meeting will deliberate on the apprehensions raised by the people on the highway passing through residential areas”, he said.
Saying he is committed to save the houses and other structures of the people, Alemao said that the report of the meeting will be placed before the MLAs for their final approval.
“The government has no intention to bulldoze the NH-17 project. We have received complaints and fears from the public. Wherever possible, the alignment will be changed to save the structures”, he assured. Referring to the huge traffic snarls witnessed on the highways and road leading to the coastal belt of the State on New Year’s eve, Alemao said the time has come to do a serious introspection on the highway. “The time has come to widen the highways to meet the growing traffic requirements. At the same time, the government is committed to save and protect the houses of the citizens”, he added.
Residents of Nuvem and Verna last year came on the streets opposing the NH-17 alignment, saying the present alignment would destroy the water bodies, including the River Sal.
Similarly, residents of Dandeavaddo in Chinchinim had been demanding a bypass road for the highway as the present alignment would destroy residential houses along the highway. It had been the consistent argument of the residents of Dandeavaddo that they had just a few years ago shifted their houses to make way for the existing highway and wondered whether the people are expected to raze down their houses and shift their structures every time the highway is being widened by the government.
