locals want LINK road through fields AS PERMANENT SOLUTION
the goan I network
MARGAO
Is the proposed bypass along the NH-17 at Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim - aimed at decongesting the highway passing through the village - finally down and out?
It seemed so, as the proposed bypass, beginning after the Sirlim residence of local Velim MLA Filipe
Neri Rodrigues, is believed to have not found favour with the Centre.
That's not all. While the proposal for a two-km long bypass at Dandeavaddo is almost down and out, it's still unclear whether the Centre will expand the highway along the narrow km-long stretch or go for a flyover along the route to ease traffic congestion.
A senior National highway official told The Goan that the bypass proposal mooted by the consultant has not found favour with the Centre.
"A new Hyderabad-based consultant has been roped in by the Centre to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the NH-17 expansion along the down south route. At this stage, we cannot say whether the existing NH-17 passing through Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim will be widened or a flyover built to handle the growing North-South traffic," the official informed.
Sources in the know said that the bypass proposal was shelved after a senior engineer of the Union Surface Transport Ministry questioned the need for a bypass when the existing route can very well cater to the requirements.
While the beleaguered residents of Dandeavaddo had been hoping against hope that the Centre would listen to their prayer to build a bypass along the Sirlim-Sarzora stretch of the highway, the latest news emanating from the centre has come as a dampener. Says Chichinim deputy Sarpanch, Valentino Barretto:
"The residents were told in the past that the NH-17 would not pass through the existing route, but will be diverted after MLA Filipe Neri's house at Sirlim. The bypass passing through the fields would not have affected a single house since it would have come up in the fields before culminating at Sarzora".
Valentino has no idea what lies in store for the beleaguered residents, whose land was acquired in the past for the highway widening.
He, however, has strongly rooted for the bypass, saying the bypass
offers a permanent solution to the traffic woes. "The government is spending crores of rupees on the new Zuari Bridge and the approach roads. The Dandeavaddo bypass will not cost much, will take care of the future traffic requirements," he said.
Local resident Upendra Angle echoed similar sentiments. "Given the current traffic plying on the NH-17, a bypass at Chinchinim would have been an ideal solution. Not a single house would have gone in for demolition if the centre had gone in for the bypass," he said.
looming
fear
Sources in the know said that the bypass proposal was shelved after a senior engineer of the Union Surface Transport Ministry questioned the need for a bypass when the existing route can very well cater to the requirements
Chinchinim Deputy Sarpanch Valentino has no idea what lies in store for the beleaguered residents, whose land was acquired in the past for the highway widening.
past promises
The residents were told in the past that the NH-17 would not pass through the existing route, but will be diverted after MLA Filipe Neri's house at Sirlim
Senior national highway official said that the bypass proposal mooted by the consultant has not found favour with the Centre
