From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld News Network - Goa
Margao, Nov 8: South Goa member of parliament Churchill Alemao and spokesman for Dabolim Airport Action Committee (DAAC) Radharao Gracias have demanded that the state Government scrap the project of six-lane express highway, being planned to from Pednem to Pollem-Canacona.
Alemao who hails from the Congress Party and known as a mass leader alleged that some leaders of the Congress party had been trying to misguide people regarding the six-lane express highway to serve their own interests.
While addressing a press conference in a city hotel, he said that all the roads across Goa were ridden with pits, and not a single road was in good condition. Instead of commissioning the six-lane Express highway, there dire need to set right these ruined roads with hotmix.
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The government's plan to construct the Six lane Express Highway was unreasonable. If they want the highway they must improve the existing highway in four lanes, without creating problem to anybody," he said further.
DAAC has gained access to full information on this express highway under the Right to Information Act.
This information says that this full project will be costing 2400 crores and it will be conceptualized on public partnership model and "Design-Build-Finance–Operate" (DBFO). So in future, those using this road will have to pay a fee.
The plan to construct an express highway is merely to facilitate the eventual construction of the airport at Mopa and closure of Dabolim Airport, Gracias told reporters.
To awaken people regarding this issue, DAAC will hold a meeting in the areas which will be affected because of this project.
Another 'Express'ion of Dissent: