Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: – In a big relief to highway motorists in the Canacona section, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways granted its sanction for technical, administrative and financial to undertake the widening of the accident-prone curve at the Karmalghat and widening/strengthening of the narrow NH-66 road at Gulem at estimating costs amounting to Rs 4.90 cr.
A communique to this effect is received in a letter to the Secretary (PWD) Goa government, stating the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways received an estimate amounting to Rs 4.99 cr for the urgent restoration to existing road formation of NH66 at Karmalghat-Canacona from the Chief Engineer (NH, R&B), Goa on February 28 last.
“The estimate has been examined in the Ministry and approved for Rs.4.90 cr in the light of comments contained in the Technical Note dated February 25.”
The ministry has granted technical, administrative and financial sanctions to the estimate amounting to Rs 4.90 crore.
The ministry has further asked to resubmit a revised estimate if the tender cost exceeds 5% of sanctioned estimate costs and gets approved from the ministry, and also directed to take up these works above 5 cr on EPC mode. The tenders should be invited by adopting e-procurements /e-tendering procedures.
While residents expressed satisfaction with finally obtaining the necessary financial approvals, they are optimistic about actually executing the works and giving the much needed relief to motorists before the commencement of monsoons.
A source from Canacona MLA and GLA Speaker office states the works for restoring the existing road from Karmalghat major Turn and widening of NH65 sides from Karmalghat sharp turn to Bhumipurush Devasthan, Gulem will be taken up on an urgent basis. ‘This will majorly solve the issue of accidents and vehicle turtling in and around the Karmalghat area, which causes major problems to highway traffic and loss of life’, the credit solely due to dedicated efforts and effective followup by the Speaker towards Vision Canacona- 2030′.
The widening of the accident-prone curve at the Karmalghat turn and the widening of the NH66 road from Karmalghat to Bhumipurush temple, Gulem, is expected to solve the issue of accidents in the area.
It may be recalled that several accidents and vehicles falling off the NH66 at both locations had led to severe criticism from Canacona locals, as they blamed PWD for remaining mute spectators to the frequent road mishaps.
