Two years after initial approval, joint inspection with Railways clears the way for long-awaited project
Joint inspection of flyover alignment from La Flor to Victor hospital, Margao was conducted by officials of the Railways and the government appointed consultant to take the project forward.
MARGAO
Two years after the Goa government approached the Centre seeking approval for the construction of the Victor Hospital–La Flor flyover at an estimated cost of around Rs 90 crore, the project appears to be gaining momentum after a prolonged lull.
On Saturday, officials from the Railways, along with representatives of the government-appointed consultant, conducted a joint inspection of the proposed flyover alignment running parallel to the Margao railway tracks. The inspection is significant as the project may require a small portion of railway land near the Old Station area for its execution.
The development comes close on the heels of a recent visit to New Delhi by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat, during which he is believed to have discussed the flyover project with the Union Railway Minister.
The Victor Hospital–La Flor flyover, designed to connect the Ring Road from Comba to Aquem along the railway tracks, was proposed by the Goa government to the Centre in November 2023. At the time, the State had submitted proposals for two flyover projects—the Victor Hospital-La Flor flyover under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), and the Comba railway flyover under the Centre’s Setu Bandhan scheme.
Of the two, the Victor Hospital–La Flor flyover found favour with the Centre and was sanctioned under CRIF around in early 2024. Subsequently, the PWD carried out soil testing along the alignment between La Flor and Victor Hospital in June 2024. However, the project saw no visible progress thereafter, reportedly due to delays in obtaining the necessary no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Railways for work affecting railway land.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, who represents Margao in the Goa Legislative Assembly, confirmed that the issue had been resolved following his meeting with the Union Railway Minister. Speaking to The Goan, Kamat said the Railway Minister had assured full support and cooperation to the Goa government for the execution of the project. “The Railway Minister has promised complete cooperation. The joint inspection may have taken place following my recent visit to the national capital,” Kamat said.
With the Union Railway Minister giving the green signal, despite the project requiring a small portion of railway land, Kamat said the flyover would be taken up at the earliest once the tendering process is initiated.
Once executed and completed, the flyover will link and complete the Margao ring project, connecting the old market area to Aquem at the Power House junction via Comba, Old Station Road, and the fire station road.
