PANAJI
A joint meeting of government departments has decided to hot-mix the alternate roads and diversions created due to the ongoing elevated corridor project at Porvorim.
The decision comes in the wake of dust pollution and traffic congestion caused by the works, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) also pending in the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
In the minutes of the meeting submitted to the Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta, the State, represented by Advocate General Devidas Pangam, stated that the hot-mixing of diverted roads was one of the major decisions taken during the discussion.
Moreover, motorcycle ambulances will be deployed on both sides of the Panaji-Mapusa road while an ambulance will be stationed at Porvorim to handle medical emergencies.
The meeting, held recently, was attended by officials from the Health Department, Public Works, Collectorate and Traffic Department.
The North Goa Collector issued two orders during the meeting with the first directing the project contractor to deploy 30 traffic marshals and to also ensure adequate illumination along the construction stretch.
Another decision, order of which will be issued shortly, directs the removal of a kiosk near Mall De Goa – where part of the work is underway – as it has been obstructing traffic and posing an accident risk. “The decision has been made and the order will follow soon,” the AG said.
The meeting also stressed proper monitoring of the situation by the PWD and the contractor. Any new road diversions must be communicated to the PWD and Traffic Department at least 48 hours in advance. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing on this matter for Tuesday.
During the hearing last month, the government directed the PWD and the agency responsible for the project to minimize dust pollution along the entire construction stretch, regular sprinkling of water there, install signage for commuter directions and deploy traffic marshals to assist traffic management.
The state government’s action is in response to Moses Pinto’s petition in the High Court.
