MARGAO: In a shocking disclosure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has informed that the Public Works Department has undertaken the task of widening all the national highways in Goa except for a small section admeasuring 13.100 kms.
This was revealed in a letter addressed by the DGM (Tech) and Project Director of National Highways Authority of India vide a letter dated March 20, 2017 addressed to one Antonio Alvares who had complained to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways vide his letter dated February 25, 2017.
In his complaint, Antonio had pointed out that the National Highways in Goa pass through urban areas as there are no bypasses constructed for them as is the norm in the county. Besides, he cited 10 different reasons why the so called highways passing through urban areas could not be classified as highways including the fact that the roads are very narrow.
In reply to this complaint, the National Highways Authority of India pointed out that the State PWD in Goa has taken up the task of “4/8 laning” the national highways in Goa except for a small stretch admeasuring 13.100 kms from Verna junction to Vernapuri junction which is the National Highway No. 17-B.
Hence it advised Antonio to take up the matter of the narrow width of the roads with the State PWD and not the central agency.
