April deadline goes by…Third Mandovi bridge may also miss Dec ‘17 target

L&T yet to get possession of land on Panjim side; of the 68 spans only three are in place; not even 20% work completed on Panjim side
April deadline goes by…Third Mandovi bridge may also miss Dec ‘17 target
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It’s been nearly two-and-half years since the work on the third Mandovi bridge began. The bridge, bypassing the capital town, was to be completed by April 2017. It had missed its first deadline then.
And if sources are to be believed it would, in all probabilities, miss the December 2017 deadline as well.
What is even more surprising is that the L&T, which is constructing the cable stayed bridge, is yet to get the land on Panjim side.
The ambitious Rs 517 cr, kicked off by Manohar Parrikar government, has so far been through rough weather. 
However, the work continues to be on a slower pace.
The laying of segments, on Porvorim side, was started in September 2016, but even six months down the line only three spans have been completed.
Besides this, while three piers have already come up in the river Mandovi, the fourth one is still at the foundation stage.
On the Panjim side, not even 20 per cent work is complete barring some piers on approach roads of old Mandovi bridges and near Merces circle. Work is yet to begin from Hira Petrol pump towards the Merces circle.
When contacted Arvind Nerurkar, Project Director, Larsen & Tubro, told Herald they are confident of meeting the December 2017 deadline.
“If we delay it would be unviable for the company itself,” he said.
Asked for the delay in works, he said, “there were teething problems initially but we have overcome all the issues now.”
“Initially, it was the NGT stay due to which the work could not be taken up in River and so also the Southern side (around Panjim bus stand),” he said.
When pointed out that the first segment on Porvorim side and even after six months only three spans have been completed, he said, “it was the initial stage, we have to be extra careful with load testing.”
“From now on we are hoping to complete at least two spans every month,” he said adding there are total of 68 spans, including the main bridge,” he said.
Asked why the work on the Panjim side, from petrol pump to Merces circle is yet to begin, he said, “well, we are awaiting land to be handed over to us by the NHAI but we are hopeful it will be done in next few days.”
GSIDC Project Director Sandip Chodnekar when contacted admitted the land acquisition has been delayed but said it will be done in next 20 days time.
“This is something which is not in our hands; the land has to be acquired by the National Highways Authority of India as per NHAI act. However, it is in the final stage and only Section 4 remains to be imposed,” he said.
The bridge will have 68 spans comprising 13-25 segments each. The segments have been prepared using three external casting beds and reinforced bar cages and rebar jigs at Dhargal casting yard.
L&T is using specially designed, chromium-layered corrosion resistant variety of steel from Tata Steel to prevent rusting, officials from the construction company said. They are also using a special chemical coat called AC-Cure that prevents water from evaporating by creating an impervious layer over the segment while it is being cured. AC-cure is manufactured by Apple Chemie.
Herald Goa
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