The long-awaited widening of the crucial Ponda-Bhoma highway in Goa is set to move into its construction phase next month. This follows the completion of the land acquisition process, as announced by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat.
Project Details and Contract Award
Minister Kamat shared the update on Thursday evening after inaugurating the new Ponda KTC underpass. He confirmed that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has officially gazetted the acquisition of approximately 26,000 square meters of land between Priol and Kundaim for the project.
The tender for the massive infrastructure upgrade has been awarded to JeetAsia, a firm based in Gurugram, Haryana, for a contract value of Rs 273 crore. While the contractor is ready, the formal work order from MoRTH is currently awaited, after which physical work will commence.
Key Features of the Highway Upgrade
The project promises a significant transformation of the traffic corridor. The most prominent feature will be a six-lane flyover constructed between the Dilasa Palliative Care Centre and the Farmagudi traffic police station. For the remainder of the stretch, the roads will be developed as four-lane highways.
The plan also includes major interventions at key junctions to ensure smooth traffic flow:
- 60-meter-wide underpasses at the busy Mardol and Mangueshi junctions.
- A 20-meter-wide underpass near the Vaishali hotel in Kundaim.
- A vehicular overpass at the major circle near the GVM’s College complex.
Anticipated Impact and Public Appeal
Local MLA Ramkrishna Dhavalikar addressed the inevitable disruptions that will accompany such a large-scale construction project. He cautioned residents and commuters that they may have to endure dust pollution and traffic congestion for about a year once the work begins in earnest.
Dhavalikar made a public appeal, urging people to bear the temporary inconvenience for the long-term benefits and the promise of a vastly improved road network. The project is seen as a critical step in decongesting the area and enhancing connectivity for the region's growth.
