This story is from October 18, 2018

New Mandovi bridge to be opened by January, two years later than scheduled

The new cable-stayed bridge over the Mandovi is expected to open for traffic in January 2019, officials said on Wednesday.
New Mandovi bridge to be opened by January, two years later than scheduled
PANAJI: The new cable-stayed bridge over the Mandovi is expected to open for traffic in January 2019, officials said on Wednesday. Construction of the bridge, which is being built by Larsen & Toubro limited (L&T), is in its last phase, with 91% of the bridge already complete.
The last bridge's last segment on the Porvorim side was placed on Wednesday at a small ceremony with Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) chairman Deepak Pauskar and vice-chairman Sidharth Kuncaliekar in attendance.

"Slowly, GSIDC, L&T, the consultant and even IIT Chennai will help complete the bridge by December," Kuncaliekar said. "This bridge will be opened for service in either the first or second week of January."
The 5.13km long structure has been built at a cost of Rs 482 crore, with Rs 434.65 crores already being paid to L&T. Construction of the bridge, extending from Pundalik Nagar junction in Porvorim to Merces junction, began on July 27, 2014. It was meant to be over by January 26, 2017, and with completion expected only by December end, there is a delay of nearly two years.
"Around 82% of payment has been done and the bridge is 91% complete," Pauskar said. "The work is getting done and by last week of December, we want to get the bridge complete."
GSIDC officials said the construction was delayed because of litigation. Once completed, the bridge, according to officials, would decongest Panaji, and allow vehicles to cut down the commute time between Margao and Panaji."
"This third bridge is required because the national highway expansion is also going on at a rapid rate," said Pauskar. "This bridge will benefit Goans and national transporters. An export and import hub that is coming up will require such a bridge."
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