Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral informed that the work of the new Zuari bridge is not progressing as per the original schedule and the extended completion date of Package II is September 2022.
“The work of the new Zuari bridge is not progressing as per the original schedule. The delay was due to some technical issues and the Global Covid pandemic. The extended completion date of Package II is September 2022,” said Cabral.
He further said that the physical progress of Zuari Package –II is 92%, and Zuari Package –III is 99%.
“The disruption to the smooth flow of traffic has reduced drastically in recent time and only occurs occasionally during peak traffic hours near approaches of existing Zuari bridge,” he said.
Cabral said that the extended completion date of Package-II is 22.09.2022, and efforts are being made to complete & open the RHS of the new bridge for traffic by September 2022.
“Physical progress of Zuari Package I from Bambolim to Agassaim is 99%, Zuari Package II, the new cable-stayed bridge across river Zuariis 92 % and of Zuari Package III from Cortalim to Verna is 99%. The RHS of the new Zuari Bridge is likely to be completed by September 2022,” he said.
The Minister informed that it will take about 3 months to finish works like railings, wearing coats etc. and to conduct load tests, wind tunnel tests etc., and the RHS of the bridge is likely to be opened to traffic by December 2022. The complete bridge is likely to be opened to traffic by December 2023.
“The main reason behind the delay is the Global Covid pandemic which affected the supply of various resources including man power adversely. The ban on International Travel also contributed to the delay as the Foreign Agencies involved for proof checking during execution could not visit the site,” he added.