Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar launched the long-pending and ambitious railway underpass project near Tanya Hotel, marking a major step toward resolving a five-decade-old bottleneck that has hindered emergency services. The event was attended by MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, municipal councillors, officials from various departments and several residents.
The work has been prioritised to address the long-standing height restriction beneath the railway bridge, which prevents fire tenders from passing through. This compels emergency vehicles to take a lengthy detour, delaying response times to areas such as Belabai, Orulem, Mestawada, Dhactolem and Mangor.
Salkar said the project would dramatically improve emergency access and transform the look of the area once completed.
“This railway underpass is being taken up mainly because fire tenders simply cannot pass under the bridge due to the height restriction. This has been the situation for nearly 50 years, and it cannot continue because emergencies demand quick response,” he said. “In many cases, fire tenders lose nearly 30 precious minutes taking a long route. Every minute matters in an emergency, and the key idea is to ensure they reach these locations without delay.”
Recalling past tragedies, he added, “We have seen how many lives were lost during the naptha leakage incident. I had promised before the elections that I would prioritise this project for the safety of our people, and today we have begun the work.”
According to Salkar, the underpass installation will take around five days as the frames are ready and need to be positioned using heavy machinery. The road closure is being enforced for public safety, and Vasco Traffic Police will soon issue detailed diversions.
“We have arranged alternative routes so residents are not affected,” he said.
Salkar also highlighted several parallel infrastructure works being undertaken in the locality.
“We are widening the road between Mangor and Tanya Hotel by another four metres, which will give people easier access once completed. This underpass has been a long-standing demand, and after five decades it is finally becoming a reality,” he said. “I am thankful to the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, who even wrote to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to iron out earlier issues.”
Appealing for public cooperation, he added, “I request people to bear with us for around eight days as we take up this crucial work. We are also working on culverts and drainage improvements to prevent waterlogging. Railways plan to build a pumping station to further avoid stagnation.”
Salkar informed that sewerage works are ongoing between Tanya Hotel and Mestawada, after which the road will be widened and hot-mixed to eliminate congestion.
“The entire area around the bridge will be revamped. Roads around the zone, including the one near St Andrew’s Church, are being widened and hot-mixed. The lake developed near Tanya Hotel along the Mangor road already adds beauty, and the final project will give the area a new aesthetic appeal,” he said.
He added that parallel development initiatives are also underway.
“We are inaugurating the new fish market, starting work on the Chief Officer’s bungalow, and taking up beautification of FL Gomes Road and Swatantra Path. This will completely transform the city. People will see the difference with their own eyes,” Salkar said.
He further stated that he and the Sports Minister will soon meet the Chief Minister to seek final approval for the sports complex planned at the open Tanya Ground.
“This project is already sanctioned, and we expect it to begin in the coming months,” he said.
