MARGAO
The NH66 is expected to get a big boost in the coming financial year with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announcing in his budget speech projects crores of rupees of development for the widening and expansion of the national highway from Navelim to Canacona, including Karmal ghat.
Demand for the construction of the western bypass on stilts along the Benaulim stretch seemed to have not found favour with the government. Similarly, demand to build a road bypass at Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim instead of a flyover along the NHstretch, has also not found favour with the government.
In his budget speech, the Chief Minister announced that the Navelim-Cuncolim stretch of the highway will be widening at a cost of Rs 361 crore. The development includes four-laning of the stretch of the highway between Navelim and Cuncolim, besides pavements.
That’s not all. Given that the NH66 widening will end at the Uskini arik culvert for want of land acquired to take the four-lane highway project, the Chief Minister has announced in his budget speech funds to the tune of Rs 281 crore for land acquisition for the proposed Cuncolim bypass.
The Cuncolim bypass, PWD sources informed, will start the Uskini arik culvert, before it wends through the areas of Comba and meets the NH66 at Balli village near the Primary Health centre.
