PERNEM
Assuring that Rs 25,000-30,000 crore will be allotted on development works in the State in the next 5 years, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also announced the construction of a 45 km 4-6 lane Margao bypass via Navelim, Cuncolim, Canacona to Karnataka border worth Rs 3,500 crore.
He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a 6-lane access-controlled 7 km road with elevated viaducts at a cost of Rs 1,183 crore from Manohar International Airport to Dhargal on NH-166S in Goa on Thursday.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shripad Naik, ministers, MLAs, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade and other leaders were present on the occasion.
Speaking further, Gadkari said a 62-km eastern bypass will be constructed at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore on the outskirts of Goa to give Goans respite from heavy traffic due to interstate traffic passing through the State.
Stating that vehicular underpasses have been sanctioned at Naibag, Dhargal and Peddem junctions as these junctions have become accident-prone zones, the union minister also stated that Rs 4,000 crore would be spent on the 4-laning of the 52-km Panaji-Belagavi section of the NH748 highway.
As part of efforts to curb pollution in Goa, Gadkari suggested that the State should switch to EV, bio and other alternate fuels and also advised the State government to prepare a Masterplan and to strengthen the public transport system.
The union minister also requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to interact with the people as part of efforts to resolve concerns over the Rs 500 crore new Borim Bridge project.
He also requested the State government to expedite the land acquisition, as well as forest and environment clearance processes, to ensure that projects lined up can be completed.
“There is no issue about money, and these projects will change the socio-economic scenario of Goa,” he added.
The 7-km Mopa Link road promises to significantly improve connectivity to Manohar International Airport, facilitating faster and hassle-free travel, enhance tourism activities and provide a boost to multi-modal connectivity, thereby reducing logistics costs.
Among those present on the occasion included Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Faldesai, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar, Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Poriem MLA Dr Deviya Rane, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar, Saligao MLA Kedar Naik, and Nuvem MLA Ulhas Tuemkar.
