Bad roads dent tourism, logistics sector: GCCI

PANAJI: Pointing out that bad roads are a deterrent for tourists and the logistics sector, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has red-flagged the poor construction of national highways in Goa.
GCCI has also requested Union minister for road transport and highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari to complete the NH4A highway stretch at Anmod Ghat and also start construction of a flyover between Gauri fuel station at Porvorim and the circle at Socorro.
In a letter to Gadkari, who was in Goa on an official visit, GCCI also urged MoRTH to initiate a probe into the sub-standard widening of the Patradevi — Porvorim and Panaji — Canacona sections of NH66.
“With the overall poor quality of road that is unfolding, on the Patradevi to Pollem important stretch of the NH 66, there is a fear that Goa will become far more famous as a death trap for bikers and other motorist, including long trailer trucks,” said GCCI president Ralph De Souza. “Ours is a tourist state and we certainly cannot afford it. Even truckers would not prefer using this road, which will defeat its very purpose.”
GCCI said that the recently completed four-lane concrete roads are sub-par with poor drainage, irregular banking angles, exposed aggregate and poor levelling making them accident prone. The lack of illumination at diversions also poses a risk for motorists.
“Truckers are reluctant to come to Goa thus increasing freight cost, which is passed on to the consumer. The uneven and wavy nature of the road has also increased the number of road mishaps. There are instances where empty containers have fallen off the trailers,” Souza said.
GCCI said that the delay in upgrading the 4km stretch between Gauri Petrol pump at Porvorim and the circle at Socorro has created a major bottleneck. The industry body has also expressed concern over the closure of the Anmod Ghat for over 16 months. Gadkari has assured GCCI that he will explore ways to complete and reopen the Anmod Ghat route.
“Due to this the traffic is diverted through Karwar or Yellapur increasing the distance, time and freight affecting supply and cost of goods. Goa is largely dependent on tourism and this highway is an important link in the Sagarmala project,” said GCCI in the letter to Gadkari.
Sousa said that expediting the completion of the Zuari bridge will be a big boon to the Goan economy.