HERALD: What made you to close down Vales junction and open a temporary one at the Zuari gate?
Mauvin: To my knowledge there have been eight deaths at Vales junction in the last one year, not to speak of so many minor and medium level injuries. Thus when the junction had become a death trap, I had to think of closing the illegally opened/punctured highway at Vales junction. Also people were mostly trying to take the shortcut that leads to St Jacinto road on NH17 A and due to heavy pressure of traffic, even this shortcut road had become a death trap. So as a first step, I got this shortcut road notified as no entry for commercial vehicles, then I identified a more safe and balanced area which is less than half a kilometer from Vales junction where vehicles can easily take turns and thus after doing all these work, we closed down Vales junction and made a temporary opening at Zuari gate. This new opening at Zuari is required till the Dabolim and MES junction becomes reality.
HERALD: What actually led to the controversy after which NHAI had to close down the new opening and what will happen now?
Mauvin: Minor accidents occured at Zuari gate purely due to the lapses of NHAI officials. If the NHAI officials had installed proper precautionary signages, speed breaker with proper dimensions and adequately marked rumblers, then such things would have not happened. Also these problems would have not happened if NHAI had gone ahead and taken up improvement of Dabolim and at MES college junctions by providing circles there for which I am fighting for the last two years. Now, since they now know the urgency of circles, even if they start the work today, it will take them a minimum of three to four months for the circles to become a reality. Considering this, if the new opening at Zuari gate which I say is a balanced formula is closed then all the vehicles would take turns at MES College junction and traffic situation there would lead to a huge chaos. I have done what is in the best interest of the public of entire state as this road leads to Dabolim airport.
HERALD: What according to you will be the solution to the issue as now Dabolim locals want the opening while MES residents are adamant to keep the new opening closed?
Mauvin: Precisely I knew the anger will mount and there are 4000 residents using the Vales junction to take turns. I had proposed the most practical solution. Unfortunately, now I am out of station attending GST meeting at Hyderabad and since the Alto Dabolim locals wants a redressal, I have advised them and panchayat members to meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. I have briefed him about the issue and I am sure he will provide a practical solution.
HERALD: Has this issue sparked a sort of rift between you and Alina?
Mauvin: No, there is no rift between us and I am sure that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar would get a practical solution to the issue.
