PORIEM: Completion on the 4km-long road traversing Pali village in Goa’s Thane Panchayat jurisdiction has brought great news for commuters as it will slash travel time between Valpoi and Karnataka’s Belagavi from the existing three hours to just 1.5 hours.

Heavy vehicles, however, are prohibited from plying this route, which skirts protected forests, with the authorities of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary warning of strict action against heavy vehicles caught using it.

The new road comes as a long-awaited relief for residents of Valpoi who would earlier have to travel 100km to get to Belagavi. That distance has now come down to 70 km. It also eases connectivity for the residents of Surla village in the Thane panchayat area, who would otherwise have to travel 35km via Keri just to get to the Thane panchayat office.

The Pali road was constructed in two phases, first with pavers and then with bitumen. The project cost Rs 4 crore.

Poriem MLA Deviya Rane said the road would help boost development in the area, especially in the rather isolated Surla village.

“Visitors can also enjoy the many waterfalls in and around Surla, and nature tourism can be promoted with the completion of this new road,” said Rane.