Ponda-Panaji arm of Atal Setu opened
Two-wheelers allowed „ Both lanes to be opened by April 10
As the traffic chaos in Panaji and Porvorim continued on Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Ponda to Panaji arm of Atal Setu while assuring to open one lane of the mega Bridge by April 2.
“One lane of the Ponda to Panaji arm is open for vehicular movement including two-wheelers on a temporary basis. The Atal Setu strictly does not allow two-wheelers... permission for two-wheelers on the Ponda-Panaji arm is allowed for a short period. The Ponda to Mapusa arm will also be opened next week,” the CM said.
Additionally, one lane of Atal Setu will be opened by April 2, a day after the Goa Board examinations while both lanes will be ready by April 10.
“We understand that Class X Board exams are starting on April 1. The re-opening of one lane for both sides of traffic will ease congestion,” he said.
Sawant added that the technology used in resurfacing
Atal Setu is advanced and will be the permanent solution to the uneven and potholed surface.
“The technology consists of a middle membrane layer and bitumen over it, which has failed. It is not the contractor’s fault. The middle membrane layer is now being removed with the help of a German-make milling machine, which is one of two such machines in India. Removing the earlier membrane and laying a new membrane is technical and time-consuming
work involving a lot of hard work. People need to have patience,” he said, explaining that once the first process is complete, the laying of bitumen will conclude within a day.
Earlier during the day, the CM inspected the ongoing work on the Atal Setu and held a site review meeting with the Goa Police officers, GSIDC officials and contractors.
Sawant, while reiterating people’s cooperation, said “We regret the inconvenience. Once the work is fully complete
people will experience seamless connectivity.” He later inspected the Smart City works in Panaji.
On Friday, government officials confirmed that Atal Setu’s closure will be extended till April 5, which was earlier slated till March 27. The Traffic Department had recommended to the District Administration to undertake the work in two phases to avoid heavy blockages, despite which the latter ordered closure of the entire bridge till March 27.