Work of converting subway into driveway at Bambolim takes off

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa government is all set to remedy one of its ailing projects, the Goa Medical College sub-way, work on which has already commenced to convert it into a two-lane driveway before the Lusofonia Games. But it comes at a cost.
While an amount of Rs 12 crore had been spent on the construction of the sub-way at Bambolim to facilitate an underground pedestrian crossing and safe accesses to the GMC hospital and Dental College, four years and a complete disaster later, the government will now spend another Rs 8.5 crore to convert the subway into a driveway.
According to information furnished by the Corporation, the driveway would be of a width of 6 meters with two lanes and footpaths on either side. More importantly the sped limit inside the driveway will be restricted between 15 to 20 kmph and would also incorporate rumblers.
According to GSIDC engineers the 16 shops within the driveway would not be demolished except for one each at the entry and exit points to prevent difficulties in maneuvering vehicles.
“Only light vehicles would be permitted such as two-wheelers and four-wheelers,” said an engineer handling the project.
The GSIDC has been given a target to complete the driveway before the Lusofonia Games as it would give easy access to one of the stadium venues opposite the GMC, Bambolim and an underground access to the Bambolim plateau where another stadium venue is located.
The GSIDC is hoping that the new plan will bring to life the virtually abandoned subway which failed to enthuse pedestrians, patients, passengers and medicos.
As on date, it is not known whether the shops inside the existing subway will be leased out. Sources say that during deliberations it was proposed to shift vendors sitting outside the GMC hospital to the shops located underground. This is hoped to also decongest the hospital junction due to increasing vending activities.