No diversion at Cortalim till Jan 16: Govt

PANJIM: Amidst a public outcry, the government has decided to keep on hold the Cortalim to Verna road diversion issue until January 16 so that it does not affect the novenas and feast of St Joseph Vaz that is held at Sancoale.

The High Level Committee, which met at the Secretariat on Friday, also decided to explore the possibility of acquiring additional land on both sides of the new Zuari flyover at Cortalim to avoid inconvenience to commuters.

The High Level Committee members led by PWD Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho and MLA Alina Saldanha will visit the project site at Cortalim, where diversion is proposed, on December 30 at 4 pm, to explore various options. All four attended Friday’s meeting.

The meeting decided to inspect the place on December 30 on suggestions to check whether a service road in the fields nearby can be constructed for the flow of traffic.

Dhavalikar said the meeting discussed pros and cons of diverting the road for almost one year as per the request of contracting firm Dilip Buildcon.

He said that suggestion about taking up the paddy field on rent to construct a service road to ensure that the traffic flow is smooth was considered, which would be discussed with the farmers.

He said that various options are being worked out, including closing of the road only for a month to reduce the inconvenience to the travellers.

Dhavalikar said they will be inspecting the area on December 30 at 4 pm to take stock of the situation. “The proposal of road closure has been given considering the safety of the travellers. We don’t want to behave irresponsibly,” he said.

Dhavalikar said that the issue would be discussed with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar after December 30, before taking any call.

Sardesai emphasised that the road will not be closed before January 16 considering that the feast of St Joseph Vaz is being held. “If there is any diversion, then it will not be before January 16,” he said.

He said that the aspect of compensating the farmers for using their paddy field for construction of temporary service road is also being considered.

Godinho said that everyone will be taken into confidence before taking any step.