National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is mandated to implement National Highways Development Project (NHDP) which is India's largest highways project ever undertaken code name 'Project Highway'. The project is well defined and has all the attributes of international Highways or Expressways or Freeways.
As rightly pointed out by honourable ex-tourism minister Matanhy Saldanha, the present National Highway passing through Goa from North to South is nothing but an expansion of old village roads. The planned 'Project Highway' should avoid densely populated areas and instead of widening the village roads, it would be better if the highway is aligned through the hinterland as proposed by experts in the Regional Plan 2021. We, the people of Goa must see this project in larger national interest with due consideration to Goa's socio-economic and environmental issues. As this 'Project Highway' will be Six Lane dual carriageway and requires minimum 45 meters width, the existing path is not feasible due to various factors as listed below: The existing Road networks in Goa are just fit to be called as State Highways and Major District roads. There is not enough open area to have the mandatory shoulder area and service roads on both sides the road. Highways passing through existing town and villages will create hardship to existing settlements. 'Project Highway' will increase noise pollution with vehicles operating at high speed. The constant vehicle movement will reduce the air quality in this areas thereby causing air pollution. Road traffic safety will be another big issue as 'Project Highway' will pass though the densely populated areas. The current accident death ratio will increase considerably. I had opportunity to see and feel driving experience on some of the major Highways or Expressways of Europe and Middle East. Beside I have studied various Highway projects in counties like Canada, USA, Brazil, China and Japan. The common features in these countries, Highways or Expressways are kept out of populated areas. The Highways or Expressways are connected by arterial roads and service roads on both sides. The project details are well defined in NHAI's Manual for Specifications and Standards for National Highways. http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/sublink2images/Manual_6_laning600548278.pdf http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/sublink2images/Manual4lane726136537.pdf But these standards will be hard to maintain in Goa due to paucity of land. This 'Project Highway' is one time investment will have carter to the people of Goa for next 2 or 3 decade and hence every effort must be made to harness it with development of the local populace. The new routed must be explored to connect the super highway of India away from town and densely populated villages to avoid the socio-economic and environmental damages. Good road network is a key to the growth of the nation but if design and implemented correctly. A futurist project of prime importance must not be hurried into completion to meet the 20 kms per day target bypassing important socio-economic, environmental and safety issue . The 'Project Highway' with the current alignment will not achieve the desired result and will be waste of development funds. I hereby request our honourable people's representatives of Village Panchayat's, Goa Legislative Assembly and Indian Parliament to consider all cost-benefit's of widening of highways across Goa. Let's not play politics with issues that are of paramount importance to the general public but rather find solution in coherence with all stake holders. Agnelo Pinheiro Raia/Dubai * * * Read Selma Carvalho's warmly-received book *Into the Diaspora Wilderness*, a journey through Goan life in Africa, the Gulf, England and North America ... gripping and well-told real-life stories. See http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ Buy in Goa via Broadway Book Centre, Panjim. Ph 9822488564. * * *