Team Herald
MARGAO: Residents of Canacona have strongly opposed the proposed widening of NH-66 (formerly NH-17) along the existing alignment at Karmal Ghats, urging authorities to opt for a tunnel alternative instead. Their concerns have been supported by South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, who has written to Union Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari, requesting a reconsideration of the project.
Backing their argument is a feasibility study conducted by Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt Ltd., which was commissioned by the Goa PWD. The study examined the stretch of NH-66 from Patradevi to Pollem, with particular focus on the Karmal Ghat section between Km 570 and Km 582. According to the findings, the terrain is fragile and prone to landslides, making a tunnel the safer and more sustainable alternative.
Environmental concerns form a major part of the opposition. Karmal Ghat is an integral part of the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, home to protected wildlife such as tigers, bison, pangolins, and various species of deer. Many of these animals are covered under Schedule-I and Schedule-II of the Wildlife Protection Act. Residents fear that expanding the road would fragment habitats, increase human-wildlife conflict, and cause irreparable damage to the fragile ecosystem.
Several residents recall that just four decades ago, Karmal Ghat was an evergreen forest where travellers needed sweaters even during summer months due to its cool climate. Over the years, parts of the landscape have changed due to monoculture teak plantations, but much of the natural forest is slowly regenerating, making its preservation all the more important.
In his letter to Gadkari, Captain Fernandes highlighted recent disasters in Kerala and Karnataka, citing the Wayanad landslides and road collapses along the Ankola highway as warnings of what could happen if infrastructure projects in the Western Ghats do not account for the region’s ecological sensitivity. He also raised concerns about the impact on tribal communities who depend on the forests for their livelihoods, arguing that the project violates the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, as proper consultation and consent procedures have not been followed.
The viability of tunnel construction has already been demonstrated in the region. The Konkan Railway successfully operates a tunnel through the same ghat section, and railway officials have confirmed that the required technology and expertise for such construction are available. The estimated cost of tunnel construction ranges from Rs 50-100 crore per kilometre per track, which residents argue is a worthwhile investment considering the long-term benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and environmental preservation.
While residents acknowledge the need for improved road infrastructure, they insist that development should not come at the cost of ecological destruction and safety risks. They stress that in the 21st century, infrastructure planning must balance progress with environmental responsibility.