Three highway stretches to be re-inspected

MARGAO, JULY 12
The National Highways Authority of India  and Goa government will conduct a re-inspection of the Porvorim, Chinchinim and Siridao stretches of the NH-17 as the NHAI has rejected the State government’s request to reduce the road width to 35 meters in these three places.
Both the NH-17 and the NH-4 routes will be finalized within a week’s time after the re-inspection, even as the government maintained that the width of the highways will be restricted to 45 meters in populated areas and 60 meters where there is no habitation.
As far as NH-4 is concerned, the team will also inspect Khorlim and Ela stretch of the highway, where around 108 houses are facing the axe if the road is not narrowed down to 45 meters.
Briefing newsmen, Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao has said the NHAI team will return back to the State within a week’s time to re-inspect the Porvorim, Chinchinim and Siridao stretch of the NH-17. “The NHAI team has rejected our request to reduce the width to 35 meters in Chinchinim and Porvorim. The inspection will explore the possibility of a bye-pass at Chinchinim. In Porvorim, we are trying to find a solution as buildings worth over Rs 100 crores are standing within the 45 meter alignment”, Alemao said.
He, however, said that the problem at Gorvotti-Nuvem, Chimbel in Merces has been resolved with today’s meeting with the NHAI team. “The age-old chapel has been saved at Chimbel-Merces. At Gorvotti, houses will not go for demolition”, he added.
Replying to a question, Alemao said the NH-4 will be 45-meters wide at Mollem, Sangod-Manke, Dharbandora, Khandepar, Ponda bypass and Farmagudi. The NH-4 will be realigned at Kundaim with a width of  45 meters. “After today’s meeting, around 200 houses will be saved in Bomba”, Alemao added.
He said the stretch of the highway passing through Khorlim and Ela has been made 45 meters to save the 108 houses – 81 in Khorlim and 27 at Ela.
Replying to a question, Alemao said that the NH-17 will be 45 meters in congested areas and will be 60 meters where there is no human habitation.