The Goa state government has officially announced a major traffic disruption on a key national highway to facilitate a significant infrastructure upgrade. Two crucial stretches of National Highway 66 will be completely closed for a period of two months, starting from January 2, 2026.
Details of the Highway Closure and Construction Plan
The shutdown is intended to allow for the construction of a six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim. The closure will affect two specific sections of the highway. The first stretch runs from near the ODP Road, also known as the new bypass road, to the vicinity of Damian de Goa. The second closure will be on the road section from the Kadamba Hotel to the O’Coqueiro junction.
This decision follows earlier reports and concerns about potential traffic chaos, as the initial proposed timing coincided with the peak tourist season. Authorities later decided to defer the closure to the announced date in early 2026 to mitigate the impact.
Traffic Management and Diversion Measures
North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, who issued the official notification, outlined specific measures to manage the situation. Due to a steep ascent, heavy vehicles transporting essential commodities will be prohibited from using the ODP road from Mapusa. However, one lane on the existing carriageway will remain open for all traffic moving from Mapusa towards Panaji.
The authorities have assured that all proposed diversion routes will be maintained in a motorable condition. Key safety and convenience measures include:
- Providing sufficient illumination along the entire diverted route.
- Removing wild vegetation and ensuring electrical wires are at a safe height.
- Maintaining a dedicated lane on either side for emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines. This lane can also be used to clear any traffic snarls.
- Prohibiting the transportation of bridge segments during daytime hours.
Ensuring Smooth Traffic Flow During Restrictions
Acknowledging the limited manpower of the traffic police, the contractor has been mandated to deploy at least two traffic marshals at each diversion point throughout the restriction period. These marshals will assist the traffic police in managing the flow.
Collector Yadav stated that the contractor will also provide cranes, which will be under the supervision of the Porvorim traffic cell's Police Inspector, to swiftly remove any breakdown vehicles and ensure smooth traffic movement. The traffic marshals will be stationed at strategic locations in consultation with the police, equipped with uniforms, reflective jackets, and flashing batons for visibility.
The contractor is strictly instructed not to close any roads or implement diversions without prior notification to both the Porvorim traffic cell and the Porvorim police station. Furthermore, the contractor must appoint a supervisor and share their contact details with the traffic cell PI. Permission for any road closure or diversion in the project's second phase will only be granted upon the satisfactory completion of the first phase.
