Team Herald
MARGAO: The controversial expansion of the Navelim-Cuncolim stretch on National Highway 66 (NH66) has taken a new turn, with plans now including three strategically placed flyovers. This development marks a significant shift in the project’s scope, intensifying the ongoing debate between proponents of infrastructure development and local residents concerned about community disruption. The proposed 6.5-kilometre expansion, while aimed at improving connectivity and safety, continues to face strong opposition from many in the affected areas.
At the heart of the revised plan are flyovers proposed for Belem-Navelim, Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim, and Panzorconi-Cuncolim. These structures represent a departure from the initial proposal announced in November 2021 by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Nitin Gadkari, which focused primarily on widening the highway to four lanes and adding pedestrian pathways. The evolution of the plan reflects the government’s attempts to
address traffic concerns, but it has also reignited local resistance.
The PWD and National Highways authorities have acquired approximately 24 hectares of land along the proposed route.
However, the introduction of flyovers has further intensified debates about the project’s impact on local communities. Each proposed site presents unique challenges, illustrating the delicate balance between progress and preservation.
The Belem-Navelim flyover aims to tackle a notoriously dangerous traffic junction where the Western bypass meets NH66. Initial soil testing near Jackniband bridge suggests that planning is in advanced stages, with the structure potentially spanning from Dramapur to Coldem.
PWD officials have clarified that while the flyovers
are part of the current
proposal, they remain subject to approval from MoRTH before construction can commence.
The proposed flyover at Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim has met with significant local opposition. Residents have long advocated for a bypass road instead, fearing that an elevated structure would disrupt their community. Despite multiple petitions and discussions, the current plans maintain the flyover option, starting near Digaubandh at Chinchinim and merging with the highway beyond the residential area. Local activists argue that a bypass would preserve the area’s character while still addressing traffic concerns, but authorities maintain that the flyover is the most efficient solution for the growing traffic volume.
The third flyover, planned for Panzorconi at the entrance to Cuncolim, aims to facilitate smoother traffic flow to and from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. However, it too faces opposition from residents concerned about potential home demolitions and encroachment on residential areas. This concern echoes throughout the affected areas, with many worried about the four-lane highway’s impact on existing homes. Environmental groups have also raised concerns about the potential ecological impact of the flyovers, particularly on local wildlife habitats and water drainage patterns.
Government officials emphasize that once
completed, the project will improve safety and
enhance connectivity between these fast-growing towns. The introduction of pedestrian pathways remains part of the plan, aiming to improve accessibility for local residents.
As the project progresses, all eyes remain on
how effectively the
authorities are able to address the concerns that have been expressed by the local residents.