Petitioner calls for road closures during girder installation at Porvorim

MAPUSA

The ongoing construction of the six-lane elevated corridor in Porvorim has been causing significant hardships for motorists, local residents and business establishments in the area.

In response to these concerns, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa by local resident Adv Moses Pinto, highlighting the challenges faced by the public due to the precarious conditions along the National Highway stretch where construction is underway.

Following the court's directive to propose concrete solutions for mitigating these grievances, the petitioner submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at ensuring safety and smoother traffic movement.

Among several suggestions, Pinto advocated for the cordoning off of all active work zones and roadside debris piles using metal barricades with high-visibility retro-reflective tapes and standard cautionary signage.

He also emphasised that no precast segment or girder should be lifted, swung, or installed over an active carriageway unless the route is entirely closed and alternative diversions are in place.

To facilitate uninterrupted traffic movement, Pinto proposed that construction zones should have clearly demarcated two-way temporary lanes with painted lines and reinforced dividers until the project is completed.

He further recommended that stockpiles of soil be either removed or covered with jute or plastic sheets, with water tankers deployed to regularly sprinkle road margins, particularly during peak hours.

Highlighting concerns over road safety, Pinto suggested that wherever the tarred surface has been cut for underground cable or drainage installation, a minimum 3-metre buffer should be maintained, with structured barricades and warning signage placed 20 metres in advance.

To enhance night-time safety, he recommended the installation of LED blinkers, solar reflectors, and hazard signage on roads leading into or around pier columns to prevent head-on collisions.

Additionally, he called for the immediate removal of barricades carrying non-safety advertisements, such as casino promotions, and their replacement with standard road safety graphics.

The petitioner also raised environmental concerns, urging the Goa State Pollution Control Board to conduct PM2.5 and PM10 level air quality testing at key locations, including Mall de Goa, Neo Majestic and Holy Family Church junction, with reports submitted to the court.

Further, he suggested that project authorities should be directed to provide a segment-wise construction status report, including a realistic completion timeline based on pending curing and RCC work.

To ensure compliance with court-mandated safety measures, Pinto proposed deputing a dedicated Public Works Department (PWD) officer as a corridor safety supervisor to coordinate with traffic police and oversee implementation of safety protocols.

The High Court is expected to review these recommendations as it continues to deliberate on the matter, with the aim of ensuring safer and more efficient execution of the infrastructure project in Porvorim.