PANAJI: Amid traffic diversion owing to ongoing works on the Porvorim elevated corridor, the State government announced the closure of the Old Mandovi Bridge – connecting Panaji to Porvorim – for all vehicular movement from February 8 to February 23.
The dates, which were earlier notified as January 31 to February 15, were changed due to the upcoming legislative assembly session on February 6-7.
“In view of the assembly session, the Old Mandovi Bridge will remain closed from February 8 to 23. The decision has been taken after consulting the Chief Minister (Pramod Sawant),” Executive Engineer Jude Carvalho said.
The notification by the Executive Engineer, WD VII (NH), PWD, stated that the closure of the Old Mandovi Bridge for all types of vehicular traffic is to facilitate repair work on the bridge. “During this period, vehicular traffic will be diverted to the New Mandovi Bridge. The general public is requested to take note of the same and plan their journey accordingly,” it said.
The notification stated that the work of ‘overlaying of carpet along with safety measures and painting for the new and old Mandovi bridges on NH-66 in the State under the NH(O) annual plan 2023-24’ is underway. Carvalho explained that this scope of work involves milling the existing wearing course, laying mastic asphalt, and bituminous concrete, for which there is a need to close the Old Mandovi Bridge for unhindered and speedy completion of the works.
The EE further directed the contracting agency to prominently place signboards mentioning diversion routes and comply with all road safety measures laid down by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH).