Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: On Tuesday, new road projects worth ₹ 1,250 crores for the state of Goa were approved by the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced four new phases of road development work in the state.
“A number of schemes have been approved for the development of the state”, he said.
The new works sanctioned were – the road from Navelim to Cuncolim will be six and a half km long. For this, 24 hectares of land has been acquired, and the estimated cost of the road is Rs. 270 crores. Also, the 8 km road from Canacona outer bypass road to Polem will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 200 crores. The road from Sanjeevani Sugar Factory Dharbandora to Khandepar will be constructed at Rs. 200 crores, and Ponda to Bhoma four-lane will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 575 crore. A total of Rs 1,250 crore was sanctioned.
Only destruction…
This has taken the development projects worth more than Rs. 25,000 crore, under Sagarmala and Bharatmala Projects, have been implemented in Goa since 2014.
He informed that the annual budget for development works to be carried out by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in Goa has been increased from Rs. 2,000 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore.
However, while Gadkari claims that the works are worth ₹25 k crore, one sees only large-scale environmental degradation and destruction.
Netizens claim that ₹25k cr worth of works are only to finish Goa.
Indeed, no doubt when completed commuting would be smoother and better, but at what cost?
Rampant hill cutting, haphazard development, destruction of trees is all that Goa has seen since 2014.
For example, take note of the Atal Sethu; within 2 years of the inauguration, the bridge is crumbling.
For three times in the last two years, the part of the bridge has been closed for more than 100 days for repairs. Is this development or destruction?
Tower to view potholes?
Speaking about the much-awaited state of the art bridge on Zuari river, which is deemed to be a major tourist attraction in the state, the Minister informed that it has been decided not to have any toll plaza at the bridge, although land has been acquired for that purpose. The toll plaza at state border will continue to be operational, he added.
The acquired land would be used for setting up tourist amenities like a revolving restaurant, gas stations etc. A viewers’ gallery modelled on the Eiffel Tower will also be set up on that land. Tender will be floated for this purpose, informed Gadkari.
The layout of the gallery has been completed, and the actual work will begin by December 15. One lane of the Zuari Bridge will be inaugurated in the first week of December. The restaurant and a mall, which will be developed along with the viewers’ gallery, will have access to both sides of the road. The Union Minister said that space would be made available in the mall for sale of local products.
The Union Minister further informed that work on the link road to Mopa Airport will start soon. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will spend Rs. 1,200 crore for the seven-kilometre road.
Netizens, however, took exception to Gadkari’s claim that Viewing tower will be in line with Eiffel Tower.
“Viewing tower for what? View potholes?” asked a social media user.
Netizen’s speak
Curie Rodrigues
Any new development equals to corruption.
Which person in power is talking about repair and maintenance of existing structures n roads . Election falsies . Let us not fall for these crores (crows) give us sparrows (attend to small jobs which will benefit the common man)
Saheet Dessai
This is Just An Eyewash … Specially Navelim to Cuncolim… this is Under NH 66 nthing New In it … And Cancona To Polem Also Cms Under same … They have Made it till Mashem Which They Vl Continue til Karwar As Part of NH 66 … And About Sanjivini to Khandepar , ponda to bhoma is also a highway extension Part .. whch is Already into progress… Tel Us Something New … !!
Sebastian Crossby Fernandes
Thank you Mr Gadkari….just in time for before elections as always after elections this money used to buy opposition candidates and come back in power….after that 4 years misery for middle class and poor….work to repay your masters by selling more public sector assets and filling your pockets…
Hubert Pereira
Only 20 percent will go for the so called development . Rest for own consumption. Quality of the work will show it .
Janess Ruby Costa
TIME FOR GOANS … TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM BASED ON THESE ABOVE ANALYSIS ABOUT TAX PAYERS MONEY …. THIS MONEY BELONGS TO GOANS FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD. Remote villages in goa are without proper electricity/water/food …These funds should be utilised for this purpose.
Veron DA Costa
We don’t need this why should they use tax money that belongs to Goans . Uterlize this money for the poor people who don’t ve proper water supply , power , roads to their doors in to the unfortunate to the remote villagers..They want to do this coz they want to loot .
Louise Fernandes
Instead of constructing new roads and highways, fix the ones in use. Proper dividers, lights, fence in the roads so heavy vehicles aren’t driving off the road into people’s homes or the walls. Better driving, have regular driving tests to ensure better performance on the roads.
Dikshit Korgaokar
Wt abt Commission ?
Is it discussed … On these crores how much everybody will be able to earn some crores shd be decided first ,,
Charmaine Fernandez
Broader roads mean more accidents too. There s enough of destruction to our environment already, don’t need more of these unnecessary developments….use it instead for real issues that so many villages suffer from.
Stalin Fernandes
First work on the present roads n then think of ur new plans…..you sanction money not for public but to fill your pockets.
Mahesh Talavanekar
Only 10% is use for development all 90%is goes in pocket of mla zp sarpanch and big officers sir so don’t tell us of development any party come development must go because of currepction So pls tell us only job sir
