Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa has questioned the planning and execution of the newly opened Porvorim elevated corridor, alleging that the government is now attempting to shift responsibility after the project faced safety concerns and restrictions within days of opening.
AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik said the government and BJP leaders had actively claimed credit for the project before its inauguration, but were now engaged in what he described as a “pass the parcel” exercise after a fatal crash and subsequent changes to traffic arrangements.
Naik questioned whether the concerns surrounding the corridor should have been addressed before it was opened to motorists, alleging that the government had prioritised publicity and credit over safety.
The criticism comes after a crash on the newly opened corridor claimed two lives, following which authorities introduced several safety measures, including a ban on two-wheelers and restrictions on entry and exit points. Speed cameras were subsequently installed, with the notified speed limit on the corridor set at 65 kmph.
Naik also pointed to the involvement of senior BJP leaders in promoting the project before its opening, alleging that political leaders were quick to associate themselves with the infrastructure project when it was being inaugurated.
He further claimed that residents had faced prolonged disruption during construction but were now confronting restrictions on accessing parts of the corridor.
AAP Goa vice-president Sunil Signapurkar described the project as an “engineering disaster” and questioned whether traffic access and safety requirements had been adequately considered during planning.
Another AAP vice-president, Manuel Cardozo, alleged that inadequate signage had contributed to confusion for motorists and questioned whether sufficient precautions had been put in place before the corridor was opened.
The elevated corridor was designed to ease congestion along the Porvorim stretch of NH-66. However, following the fatal accident and subsequent mishaps, authorities have tightened traffic arrangements, including diverting two-wheelers to service roads and closing certain access points while traffic patterns are assessed.
AAP said it would continue to raise questions over the project’s planning, safety measures and public expenditure, and demanded accountability for the problems that have emerged soon after its opening.
