Assonora bypass to miss deadline, likely to be ready by Dec
LINKING THE GAPS: Construction work underway on a minor bridge forming part of the Assonora bypass project.
MAPUSA
The ambitious Rs 162-crore four-lane bypass project at Assonora, aimed at easing traffic between Bardez and Bicholim talukas, has hit a minor delay, with the Public Works Department (PWD) now targeting completion by December 2025, instead of the originally planned September deadline.
According to PWD officials, the three-month delay is due to the relocation of a house that obstructed the construction of a major bridge forming part of the bypass infrastructure.
“The issue has now been resolved and piling work for the bridge is in full swing,” a PWD official confirmed.
Despite the setback, work on the project continues at a rapid pace, with teams currently engaged in the development of box culverts and road embankments, alongside the ongoing bridge work.
Spanning 2.92 km, the Assonora bypass will connect Sirsaim (Tivim) and Mulgao via State Highway 1 and is designed to support high-speed vehicular traffic with a 100 km/h speed limit.
The road will feature a four-lane, 11-metre-wide carriageway inclusive of paved and earthen shoulders.
Key components of the project include: a 125-metre-long major bridge, two flyovers, one minor bridge, seven box culverts, one pipe culvert and 1.3 km of service roads on either side.
Once completed, the bypass is expected to significantly decongest local roads, enhance travel efficiency and boost regional connectivity and economic activity. It is projected to reduce travel time and fuel consumption, benefiting both residents and commercial traffic.
The project is being executed by MVR Construction Pvt Ltd, which was awarded the contract under a strict 540-day timeline by the State government, adhering to standards set by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
PWD has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the project is delivered with high standards of safety, quality and structural integrity despite the revised timeline.
