VASCO: The ongoing work of widening of National Highway 17A from Cortalim to Chicalim junction is a clear cut example of how lack of coordination between the different departments not only affects smooth execution of work but also leaves motorists at risk.
Though one can find such example of lack of coordination at various places across Goa, but one such example in Vasco has been turning out to be very serious only because the department concerned has kick started the work of widening the road on war footing, but the electricity department is yet to shift the poles that are on middle of the roads after they are widened.
These electric poles are not only hindering traffic movement but also posing high risk to locals as well as tourists who have been using this road after landing at Dabolim airport.
“There has been complete lack of coordination between the PWD and the electricity department in executing any work meant for public. Here the PWD National Highway officials have started the work, but the electric poles on the shoulder of the road have not been removed and these poles now are posing high risk to lives of people,” said Sandeep Patel, a businessman from Vasco.
Similar concerns were raised by the residents from Sancoale as well as Chicalim as this stretch of road (Cortalim to Chicalim junction) which is extensively used by the locals as well as by taxis to and from Dabolim airport has today become a death trap as many electric poles and especially on sharp turns are yet to be removed though the widening work has been going on war footing.
Meanwhile, when herald contacted PWD NH officials to seek clarification on the issue, they said that the road widening project (including construction of few retaining walls and culvert)s has been funded by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the cost of the project is Rs 16 crore.
The officials further said that two months before awarding the contract, they had issued letters to the electricity department to shift their poles, however, they are yet to address the issue, though the poles (utility) are located in highway land for which ministry will not release funds.
“There are more than 100 electric poles to be removed to complete the widening of road work. Now, the electricity department has given us an estimate of Rs 1 crore for shifting these poles, but we are trying to find out as to how we can pay them as by rule when utilities are to be shifted and if the same is located on highway land, then, the department concerned itself has to shift it,” said Assistant Engineer (NH) Vincent D’Souza.
“Now, here along this road stretch the poles as well as water pipelines are within highland land and we are trying to resolve the issue as we want these poles to be removed as people have been facing high accident risks,” D’Souza added.
However, electricity department tells a different story. An electricity department official said, “PWD NH asked us to remove the electric pole after they started the work. However, despite lack of coordination by NH officials, we have been cooperating with them to expedite the removal of poles posing risk to motorists.”
