Team Herald
PANJIM: When Siridao locals blocked the National Highway on Sunday, they were seeking the fulfillment of an eight-year-old demand. All they wanted was an underpass at Siridao crossroads on the highway to cross the busy highway.
The spot, just below the slope has fast moving traffic and has resulted in a number of fatal accidents. The foundation stone for the underpass had been laid during the term of the previous Congress government but no work has commenced on it and it is not likely to commence.
St Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh on Monday said that constructing an underpass at the spot would be a waste of money as an alternative road bypassing the village has been proposed.
Wagh, after meeting the chief minister on the issue, said that a traffic island will come up at the spot with a rumbler strip and with the help of the police, traffic will be controlled so that villagers from both sides can cross the highway smoothly.
The work of the construction of the traffic island, at the cost of Rs 14.98 lakh, will commence in 15 days and will be completed in three months. “When we have a better option we should accept it,” Wagh said.
A permanent solution to the problem, he said would come with the construction of the new Zuari bridge wherein the government had included a flyover connecting Bambolim to Goa Velha, which will address the current problem.
Wagh said the construction of the flyover will begin soon and it will be completed within two years. The project cost is estimated at Rs 8500 crore, which includes cost of the land which will be acquired now.
He said that a meeting had already been held in this regard with all the concerned officials, PWD minister, chief minister and him along with highway officials on Monday.
Sunday’s protest had led to a number of vehicles stranded on both sides and caused much inconvenience to the people.
