PERNEM: Enhancing modern road connectivity in the State, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday dedicated to the nation a six-lane access-controlled road with elevated viaducts from Manohar International Airport to Dhargalim on national highway-166S.
He also announced that Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore will be spent on developmental works in Goa in the next five years. He asked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to talk to the people and solve the Rs 500 crore new Borim Bridge project related problems.
The ceremony was presided over by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the presence of Union Minister of State Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Ministers, MLAs and senior officials.
The seven-km Mopa link project, costing Rs 1,183 crore, promises to significantly improve connectivity to Manohar International Airport, facilitating faster and hassle-free travel. This development is expected to enhance tourism activities and provide a boost to multi-modal connectivity, thereby reducing logistics costs.
Additionally, it aims to ensure smoother and safer traffic movement, leading to savings in fuel consumption and travel time. Ultimately, the project is poised to stimulate overall socio-economic growth in the region, creating a positive impact on the local economy and the quality of life for residents.
On the occasion, Gadkari also announced the construction of a 45-km-long bypass from Margao via Navelim, Cuncolim, Canacona to the Karnataka border at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore in Goa. Also 62-kilometre Eastern bypass will be constructed along the outskirts of Goa by spending Rs 6,000 crore to give respite to Goans from heavy traffic and pollution caused due to interstate traffic passing through the middle of the state, he informed.
Additionally, the MoRTH will undertake the four-laning of the Panjim-Belagavi section on NH-748. This project spans 52-km and will cost Rs 4,000 crore, Gadkari added.
While sanctioning a vehicular underpasses (VPU) at Naibag, Dhargalim and Peddem junction, the Union Minister advised the Goa government to prepare a Master Plan and strengthen the public transport system. He also opined that the State should switch to electric vehicles, bio and other alternate fuels to curb pollution.
Referring to the ongoing controversy over construction of new Borim Bridge, the Union Minister asked the Goa government to expedite the land acquisition and forest and environment clearance obtaining process so that the lined up projects can be executed at the earliest. “We don’t have money problem. The projects when implemented will change the socio-economic scenario of Goa,” Gadkari said.
Thanking the Union government for the support in building State-of-the-art infrastructure in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the six-lane access controlled link road project will reduce time to reach the Manohar International Airport and give big boost to tourism and economy.
“Goa is witnessing massive infrastructural transformation under the ‘double engine sarkar’, with multiple completed projects and many undergoing. I am sure with the cooperation and coordination of the Government of Goa and the Union government, the development under Gati Shakti shall continue,” Sawant said.
During his two-day visit, Gadkari will review the progress of national highway projects in the State at Hotel Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula from 10 am, and address the BJP Goa State executive committee meeting in the Taleigao Community hall at 11 am on Friday.
