Delhi's odd-even scheme won't work in Goa: Manohar Parrikar

Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the Delhi Government's odd-even formula for rationing road traffic cannot be replicated in the tourist state like Goa.

"We require the solution to tackle the traffic woes. We cannot opt for odd-even formula like Delhi," Parrikar said. He was addressing a gathering during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a bridge across Zuari river near here. The stone was laid by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Parrikar, former Chief Minister of Goa, said if the odd-even formula were to be implemented in the coastal state, the tourists will have to be stopped at the state border itself before allowed entry.

"We will have to tell them (tourists) that come with even number plates inside and next day change it to odd (number plates)," he added.

Delhi Government today rolled out its ambitious odd-even scheme, which is aimed at mitigating spiralling air pollution levels in the city, wherein private cars bearing odd and even number plates ply alternately on city roads. Parrikar said the third bridge across Mandovi river, which is under construction in Panaji, would divert almost 60 per cent of traffic, and that the entire project would be completed by March next year. He said the Modi-led government is committed to develop infrastructure in Goa.

"If state government comes up with proper proposals, the Modi-led government will sanction projects worth Rs 15,000 to 20,000 crore during five years of its rule," he said. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the Central government has sanctioned various projects, "which collectively worth 40 per cent of the state's total budget".

"All these years, Goa never got proper developmental projects from the Union government. But since the time Modi government was sworn in, we have received projects worth Rs 5,000 crore which amounts to 40 per cent of the total state budget," he said. On the occasion, the CM demanded that the Central government should dredge all rivers in the state so that river navigation can be improved. "The floating jetties can be constructed so that the traffic on the road can be reduced," he said.