VASCO: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday stated that the Mormugao port connectivity project would be completed by December 2021 and would help to reduce traffic congestion on roads.
He was speaking to media persons after inspecting the Mormugao port connectivity to berth number 9 and flyover project from Varunapuri to Mormugao port trust. Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, MPT chairman Dr E Ramesh Kumar and officials of State government and MPT were also present.
The Chief Minister said that the flyover project from Varunapuri to MPT was one of the most attractive projects that will also be beneficial to the public as well. The work had commenced in 2015 but was delayed due to some reasons. He said that in an attempt to speed up the work he held discussions with Urban Development Minister, PWD officials, consultants and Gamon India Pvt Ltd contractors. "My visit to Mormugao was to revise and review the progress of this project," Sawant said.
According to Sawant, there were two major hurdles, one is about cost sharing between the MPT, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Goa government which delayed the work. He said that during the visit of Union Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya last week, this project issue was discussed and the issue with the NHAI was also being resolved.
After inspecting the entire road stretch the Chief Minister gave instructions to the officials to fastrack the work. Sawant said that by April 2020, the Varunapuri area road which was part of the project would be completed along with the utility.
Sawant said that the work of the flyover at Varunapuri, near Maharaja hotel and down-ramp at Baina will start immediately. All necessary precautions will be taken during the ramp work to avoid traffic congestion and also add beauty to the port town. The pending work of the cable-stayed bridge will also start soon, he said adding that the target was to complete these projects by December next year.
During his visit, the Chief Minister also visited the cruise terminal site as well as the newly built immigration facility at cruise terminal and the MPT administrative office.