PANAJI: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said the state government has decided to request the Union ministry of roads, transport and highways not to go ahead with converting 21 state roads into national highways.
The union ministry has taken an in-principle decision to convert two state highways, 12 major district roads and seven other roads into national highways.
In a letter dated January 2, 2017, the planning and monitoring section of the union ministry has conveyed the particular decision to the principal secretary, public work departments of all states as well as chairman of the National Highway Authority of India.
In Goa, the letter was received by the office of superintending engineer, Circle Office, IX PWD, Panaji on January 12.
However, the decision has ruffled many feathers as the move will have serious repercussions on tourism sector of Goa
When asked about the Centre’s in-principle approval converting the sub-total of 229.40 km state roads into new national highways, Parrikar said the government has already decided to request the Union ministry not to include these roads in the final notification.
“We have already moved a file in this regard and soon will send it to the MoRTH,” he said.
The important state roads include SH-7 from Sanvordem Tisk to Dharbandora junction (17.9 km); SH-6 from Borim circle to Zuna (36.21 km); MDR-1 from Old Goa to Pilar (10.75 km); MDR-43 from Velsao junction at NH 17B to Mobor Leela beach junction (8 km); MDR-13 from Verem market to Nerul and upto Candolim (3.30 km); MDR-9 from Betim via Verem upto Saligao (10.70 km); MDR-10 from Aguada-Candolim-Calangute-Arpora (12.10 km); MDR-18 from Chopdem to Keri road (19.4 km); MDR-33 from Dharbondora-Sancorda-Satpal junction (12 km); road from Bolcornem to Tambdisurla (7.70 km); MDR-52 Collem-Shigao-Voldem-Savargal (15.95 km); MDR-22 from Shalibar to Saptkoteshwar road junction (0.36 km); road from Sesa Goa plant to Shalibar Narva (4.13 km); Narva-Pilgao road (3.50 km); MDR-20 from Piligao to Sarimanas jetty (4.11 km); proposed link road to NH-17 by constructing Chorao bridge across Mapusa river at Salvador do Mund (16 km); MDR-49 from Char Rasta to Managinim (21.60 km); road from Valpoi to Nagargao (4 km); road from Nagargao to Bharmkarmali (4 km); MDR-28 from Khotode to Ganjem in Sattari (5.5 km) and the road from Marcel-Betki-Savoi Verem-Vagurme to NH 4A (13 km).
The letter issued by Maya Prakash, director (P&B) of the Union ministry stated that the Union Minister for Roads, Transport and Highways has approved in-principle declaration of these roads as new national highways subject to the detail project report.
The Centre’s decision comes in the heels of the Supreme Court banning liquor outlets within 500 mt along state and national highways.