PANJIM: Union Minister of Road Transport, National Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for three major infrastructural projects at a mega function held at Taleigao Community Centre on Thursday.
The three four-laning projects – NH-17B from Varunapuri to Sada junction, NH-4A over Khandepar river and the four laning at Kashimath and Kapileshwari junctions – together costing approximately Rs 905 crore were unveiled in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and other cabinet ministers and legislators.
As per the plan, a seven-km long new bridge over Khandepar river will be constructed which also includes the widening of the existing NH-4A to a four-lane road from Khandepar to Ponda. The total estimated cost of this project is Rs 297 crore.
Similarly, a 7.85 km four-lane road from Varunapuri to MPT harbor, and elevated road and flyover from Ravindra Bhavan junction at Baina to Gate number 9 of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) will be constructed. After completion of this project estimated to be around Rs 546 crore, there will be connectivity from NH-17 to MPT.
While the Dhavali bypass road covering a distance of 3.85 kms from Farmagudi to Dhavali will be widened to four-lanes with two flyovers at an estimated cost of Rs 61.38 crore.
Addressing the gathering which also comprised residents from Ponda, Gadkari said, “Goa will see an unprecedented growth in world class infrastructure and development over the next few months.”
Transport Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said the projects are expected to be completed in two years. Taking a dig at the erstwhile government where his party – MGP – was an ally, the minister pointed out that some cabinet ministers remained absent for meetings on infrastructural developmental works, which is why such projects never took off.
Also present at the foundation stone laying ceremony were Power Minister Milind Naik, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, MP (South Goa), Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and other dignitaries.
