Vijai says not completely in agreement with Dhavalikar

VASCO: Stating that the proposed traffic diversion plan in view of construction work of the new Zuari bridge towards Cortalim should be avoided, Minister for Town and Country Planning Vijai Sardesai has said that he “is not completely in agreement with the PWD Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar over the traffic diversion plan.”

Speaking to media on the sidelines of feast of St Joseph Vaz at the old church of Our Lady of Health Rua Escravo de Maria at Sancoale, Sardesai said, “I am of the opinion that diversion should be avoided as it would affect people of South Goa, in particular, the students, and government servants.”

He said that Dilip Buildcon Ltd (DBL) should first lay stress on completing the river front work.

“If at all traffic diversion is inevitable, then the bridge work along the road stretch should be carried out within a short span of time,” Sardesai said.

“As per the new traffic diversion plan submitted to the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar by PWD Minister Dhavalikar, the distance is shorter from 23 kilometres to around 4 to 6 kilometres which is certainly welcomed. However, no inconvenience should be caused to the people due to work of laying girders on the piers.”

“I have spoken to Chief Minister Parrikar about my views on the proposed traffic diversion plan.  He will look into my views; they are not completely in agreement with Dhavalikar’s,” he added.

When asked whether the government is completely aware of traffic diversion plan, he said that “I am not the PWD

Minister.”