National Highway –17B

PANJIM: There is good news for the resident of Chicalim and Vasco. The problem of congestion on the streets of Chicalim and Vasco due to heavy port traffic movements maybe over by 2009, what with the High Court ensuring that the National Highway –17B project is no more delayed.



With the advocate general Subodh Kantak appearing on behalf of the state government accepting the Border Roads Organization (BRO) report, it won't be long before the highway becomes a reality. Already the High Court of Bombay at Goa has asked the concerned parties to strictly maintain a time schedule. The Court has also made it clear that having regard to the importance of the project no application for extension of time will be made to the Court.



BRO was approached by MPT to carry out the feasibility study of four-lane highway for a stretch of 2.30 kms to be constructed between Tariwada and Sada junction in Phase-IV of NH 17-B as per the High Court order, in its report stated that it is feasible for construction and a loaded truck would be able to negotiate the road if constructed as per recommended design and specifications.



While the state government would complete all the necessary work -- the removal of encroachments and the relocation of public utilities -- on Phase I, Phase II and Phase III of the project, and hand over the land on which NH-17-B is to be constructed to the National Highway Authority by April 2008. Upon receiving possession of the land, free from all encumbrances the work of completing the road on Phase I, Phase II and Phase III would be completed within a period of 18 months. Further, the government has to had over the land for Phase IV after completing all necessary work within four months (by August 2008), after the work on Phase I, II and III is finished as per the orders of the Division bench led by Justice D B Bhosale.



Construction of NH 17B from Verna junction to Varunapuri (13.10 kms) was completed in May 2004. The construction of road from Varunapuri to Sada junction ( 5.2 km) was to be constructed in four phases. Phase I of 1.1 km would be constructed from Varunapuri to Gandhinagar, phase II of 1 km would be constructed from Gandhinagar to Baina, phase III of 0.8 km would be constructed from Baina –Tariwada and phase IV would be constructed at a stretch of 2.3 km from Tariwada to Sada junction. Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has already deposited an amount of Rs 4.55 crores for resettlement and rehabilitation of the affected people with the Goa government in 2001.