Team Herald
MAPUSA: Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar informed that the tourism circuit road, which was part of an infrastructure development project, would have helped in facilitating the smooth commuting of tourists along the route and ease the traffic flow on CHOGM road.
The route leading to the beach belt faces severe congestion especially the CHOGM road, Verem junction, Betim ferry point and Nerul market spot.
“The works that were tendered to the tune of Rs 135 crore have been cancelled by them. The work of road widening starting from O’Coqueiro Circle, which was to be a part of the tourism circuit infrastructure was the need of the hour in view of the heavy traffic flow on this route. The Portuguese-style houses, especially at Sangolda and Saligao would not be touched as there was space between the existing road and the compounds which could be adjusted to carry out the work,” Jayesh said.
The work tender for construction of the tourism circuit road has recently been cancelled by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC). This circuit road includes widening work of the stretch from O’Coqueiro Circle to St Alex Church, Calangute and further from Nerul Bridge to Verem and end at Mandovi circle.
“The reason cited for cancellation of the work order was because we did not have NOC from owners of land along this stretch. It was not possible to get NOC from all land owners as some are broad while others are abandoned. We had NOC from the concerned panchayats along this route. A lot of heavy vehicle ply on this route leading to the garbage plant and the industrial estate. Since this has been cancelled we will hot-mix the road post-monsoon,” said Jayesh.
“There was a need for a good quality circuit road as this is the only way to go to Calangute and Candolim. Tourists and locals face a lot of hardship travelling along this stretch. This is due to the heavy flow of traffic,” he added.
