the goan I network
PANAJI
At present, some of these roads are State highways, while most fall in the category of Major District Roads (MDR). This includes stretches like Aguada-Candolim-Calangute-Arpora, Betim-Verem-Saligao, Verem Market-Nerul-Candolim, Valpoi-Nagargao-Sattari Taluka, Dharbandora-Sarcorda-Satpal junction, among several
other roads.
All these 21 roads, put together, come to around 229.4 kilometres. A number of these stretches of road are extremely narrow, as they pass through tiny villages with houses lined up along both the sides.
Sections of people have already raised concern, saying it is impossible to make these roads national highways owing to the number of houses located along these stretches.
For example, the stretch from Aguada to Candolim to Calangute to Arpora has numerous houses on either side with compound walls almost touching the edge of the road. There are a number of hotels and restaurants situated on this road
as well. Tourism stakeholders are already worried that such a road expansion might badly affect their business. As of now, it is difficult to say what will be the width of these roads when these are upgraded to national highways. The width depends upon whether it will be a two-lane highway, four-lane highway or perhaps an eight-lane highway.
The decision depends upon the DPR and subsequent decision the central government takes in this regard. Sources also informed that this work will be undertaken under the central government’s ‘Bharatmala’ initiative which is aimed at building 25,000 kms of roads in coastal areas, ports, borders and other parts of the country.
When compared to other states of India, the kilometres of roads which might become national highways in Goa under the ‘Bharatmala’ scheme is much more. Consider this: 168 kms of roads in a huge state like Gujarat are likely to become national highways under this scheme.
The number stands at 200 kms for Himachal-Pradesh, while it is a mere 71 kms for Karnataka and just 96 kms
for Kerala.
