augusto rodrigues
DABOLIM: A letter that was submitted to the court shows that Navala uthorities had asked National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to stop construction work immediately for the four-lane flyover from MES College Junction to Bogmalo Junction.
The letter says: “Construction in the approach Funnel Zone are infringing Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) and that the work be stopped immediately and the construction in the above mentioned chainage be demolished to fall under permissible limits as mentioned in the survey reports”.
“We received the letter of the Navy to NHAI on Friday through our RTI application and are happy that there is clarity in the air now. As of now, the NHAI has not recommenced the work. If they do, I will need to approach the court again to complain against violation of court order,” disclosed the petitioner in the matter, retired Commander
Atul Pant.
This has also left people all over South Goa , who depend on the Dabolim airport for survival, relieved.
Sanjay Redkar, a local resident, expressed his satisfaction with the Navy’s intervention. “Politicians tried to mislead the public, claiming that the flyover project was for the people. In reality, it was an anti-people initiative, aimed at shutting down the Dabolim Airport to benefit the real estate lobby. This Navy report is a major victory for us,” Redkar said.
The controversy began when retired Commander Atul Pant filed a petition with the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, claiming that the NHAI was proceeding with the construction without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Navy. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the Navy had issued a letter on January 17, 2025, informing the NHAI of the construction violations.
Before disposing of the petition on February 24, the High Court requested the Navy to “expedite the consideration of issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC), if not already decided.”
Pant also criticised the NHAI for proceeding with the project despite being aware of the Navy’s objections. He added, “The NHAI has yet to submit a revised proposal to the Navy, but it has not been shared yet. They were fully aware of the Naval concerns, yet chose to ignore them and continue the work.”
A joint inspection report by the Navy and NHAI, dated January 17, 2025, confirmed that parts of the flyover, particularly the pillars at chainages 8040 and 8180, were infringing the OLS. The report noted that pillars around 4.5 meters in height had already been constructed in violation of safety guidelines.
Local residents have voiced concerns about the long-term implications of the flyover project. “The construction was part of a plan to shut down Dabolim Airport under the guise of development,” said Redkar. “While it may have been sold as a benefit for the people, it was really meant to boost real estate interests and help politicians.”
Despite the Navy’s clear instructions to demolish the illegal pillars, Pant revealed that the NHAI had yet to take any corrective action. “Other parts of the project are still ongoing, but the pillars violating the norms have not been addressed,” Pant confirmed.
In the midst of the controversy, some positive news has emerged for Dabolim Airport. Several airlines from the Gulf region have reportedly decided to resume flights to Dabolim, offering a glimmer of hope for the local economy.
Taxi driver Eleterio Soares, who has long been critical of the project, expressed his relief: “The news that flights from the Gulf are returning is great. And now, with this latest development, we can all breathe a little easier. Unfortunately, politicians seem ready to sacrifice the interests of the people for their own gain.”
Soares also credited the media for keeping the issue in the public eye, stating, “Had it not been for O Heraldo, we would still be in the dark about what’s really going on.”
In response to questions from reporters, Furtado, an NHAI authority in Goa, declined to comment further, stating, “I cannot discuss such matters without knowing who I am talking to. You will need to come to the office for me to answer your questions.”