The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has successfully completed a crucial land acquisition process in Goa's Ponda district, paving the way for a major highway expansion project. With no public objections received, the ministry has officially gazetted the acquisition of approximately 26,000 square meters of land between Priol and Kundaim.
Project Details and Awarded Contract
The core land required for the main road was secured earlier. Subsequently, a substantial tender worth Rs 273 crore was floated and has been awarded to Gurugram-based GeetAsia Pvt Ltd. Despite this progress, physical work on the ground is yet to commence. The delay is attributed to the pending issuance of the formal work order from the Union government.
Anand Vaghurmekar, Assistant Engineer of the National Highway Division at the PWD, clarified the purpose of this newly acquired land. He stated, "This is an additional area. It was needed only for curve development and the flyover landing, as the flyover landing needs some extra space."
Scope of the Highway Expansion Work
The ambitious project will significantly enhance connectivity in the region. The plan includes constructing a six-lane flyover between the Dilasa Palliative Care Centre and the Farmagudi traffic police station. The remaining stretches of the highway will be developed into four-lane roads.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, the project also involves building substantial underpasses and an overpass:
- 60-metre-wide underpasses at Mardol and Mangeshi junctions.
- A 20-metre-wide underpass near the Vaishali hotel at Kundaim.
- A vehicular overpass at the major circle near the GVM’s College complex.
Legal Process and Corrigendum
MoRTH had initially issued a notification inviting public objections in April last year. As no objections were filed, a fresh notification was published recently under Section 3D of the National Highways Act. This declaration formally states that the land now vests with the central government, free from any legal encumbrances.
Engineer Vaghurmekar pointed out a discrepancy in the official notification. He noted that the actual land area acquired is 2.63 hectares, not the 4.63 hectares mentioned, and confirmed that a corrigendum will be issued to rectify this error. He reiterated that the highway widening work will begin promptly once the central government issues the work order to the Haryana-based contractor.
This development marks a critical step forward for Goa's infrastructure, aiming to decongest traffic and improve travel efficiency in the Ponda region, pending the final administrative green light.
