PANAJI
In a major infrastructure push for South Goa, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,880.11 crore for the four-laning of the Cuncolim“Bendordem section of NH-66, paving the way for highway upgrade aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity along the key inter-state corridor linking Goa with Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the approval, stating that the project will include a 5.78-km six-lane elevated corridor, bypasses for Cuncolim and Balli towns, a major six-lane railway overbridge (ROB), along with upgraded service roads, junction improvements and pedestrian safety measures.
Sawant thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari for approving the project, saying the highway expansion would decongest towns, improve daily commuting and support economic growth in South Goa.
The 8.7-km Cuncolim“Bendordem stretch forms part of the larger Mumbai“Kanyakumari four-lane corridor under NH-66. The project is expected to significantly improve traffic movement on one of South Goa’s busiest road links that connects Margao, Cuncolim and Canacona, while facilitating heavy inter-state traffic.
The upgraded corridor will pass through key villages including Bendordem, Cordem and Barcem, strengthening connectivity towards Canacona. The highway works will also see the deployment of Automated and Intelligent Machine-Aided Construction (AIMC) technology.
