Panaji: Residents of the Town Planning Colony, Porvorim, located near Neo Majestic Hotel along National Highway 66, are frustrated after being confined to their homes due to ongoing construction of the six-lane Porvorim flyover. The Public Works Department's national highway division closed a section of NH 66 between Neo Majestic Hotel and Gauri Petrol Pump until May 20 for flyover construction, but locals claim they were not informed that access would be blocked or that debris would be dumped in front of their homes.
Official Response and Resident Concerns
Principal Chief Engineer Sandip Chodnekar stated, "The work is for the six-lane flyover. The elevator ramp is being built. The mud has been dumped for the project. It will be cleared in some days." However, at least five homes, including the Brahmakumari residence, have been cut off from the main road. The presence of senior citizens in the area heightens accessibility concerns.
Justice Nelson Britto (retd) criticized the project, saying, "This wanton destruction of a perfectly good highway begs the question of whether the government actually plans its development projects or just wants to create confusion everywhere. The senseless addition of a massive layer to an existing road in a residential area will cause untold hardships to residents and their health." Another local resident, who works night shifts, noted that emergency vehicles will struggle to reach homes as all access is blocked. He added that night-time construction creates disturbance, making it difficult for senior citizens to sleep.
Lack of Notification and Safety Worries
The contractor began dumping debris on Thursday after shutting down the road. Oswald Pinto, a local resident, said, "It's a very bad situation for the people because they have not notified us properly and put proper signage. We don't know which lane to use and which direction to go. Overnight, the existing road is being excavated and mud is being dumped. The height of the new road worries people that during monsoons, water will enter their compounds or homes."
While some residents said prior notice would have helped them plan grocery runs, others have accepted the inconvenience. A woman from the area commented, "We asked the engineer for information and asked them to clear part of the road so we can leave our homes. This is a big project and there is no point opposing it; it has to be completed fast."
