Huge serpentine queue of vehicles at Belem-Navelim junction has resulted in traffic snarls in last few days; chock-a-block situation on eastern bypass
The Western bypass awaiting commissioning for over a fortnight now.
MARGAO
Citizens and political parties on Sunday upped the ante in demanding the inauguration of the Margao western bypass with traffic situation going from bad to worse in view of the festive season.
As huge serpentine queue of vehicles at the Belem-Navelim junction on the NH-66 resulted in traffic snarls in the last few days, coupled with chock-a-block situation on the eastern bypass, the clamour for the immediate inauguration of the bypass grew louder around Saxtti countryside, besides the commercial capital.
Congress Working Committee member Girish Chodankar took to the social media early Sunday morning to hit out at the government for the delay in inaugurating the western bypass. Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz had an interaction with the media in the city on Sunday noon with a request to the government to inaugurate the bypass without any further delay.
Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas also dashed off a letter to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant later in the day demanding the commissioning of the bypass.
By evening, the Margao Congress led by former Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho said the government should not waste any more time on inaugurating the bypass before the people step in to inaugurate the bypass road.
Congress leader Girish Chodankar said the western bypass from Seraulim to Benaulim has been ready for days, but delayed due to the Union Minister for MoRTH did not finding the time to come for the inauguration.
He said the same Ministry had rushed with the project completion, ignoring environmental concerns and the risks of flooding. The government was in a rush on the excuse that the High Court is “monitoring” the project. So here’s the real question — isn’t the government in contempt of the High Court for causing this unnecessary delay in opening the bypass,” he questioned.
He added: “The people have waited long enough. This project was meant to alleviate traffic and improve road safety especially during peak tourist season, but now it’s just a symbol of bureaucratic inefficiency. The High Court was clear that the project needed to be completed, and yet we’re stuck waiting for a ceremony that could have been held days ago.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz said people of Salcete have avoided visiting the commercial capital for shopping with the roads choked with traffic. “Throwing open the western bypass for movement of highway traffic will give respite to the people visiting Margao city for shopping,” Dixon said.
Venzy writes to CM, seeks solution to traffic issue, safety concerns
MARGAO: Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas on Sunday dashed off a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to immediately open the western bypass to alleviate heavy traffic congestion in Margao, and also raised what he termed as critical which has remained unaddressed.
Stressing on traffic safety after the commissioning of the bypass, the Benaulim MLA has called for installation of sign boards at traffic junctions near the underpass; rumblers on all service roads; blind sector islands; lighting and visibility; street lights inside the underpass; street lights on service roads, besides retro effective tapes on dividers from the underpass.
As far as the infrastructure and accessibility, Venzy has called for the construction of three ramps for farmers; resolution of water clogging issues near Tolleaband; restoration of land below the stilts in the Seraulim area and execution of retaining walls proposed by P K Pandey by WRD before the 2025 monsoon.
The MLA has also requested the Chief Minister in addressing the pressing concerns to ensure public safety and prevent flooding situations once the western bypass is open.
