Goa highway tender in a week

In three months, all obstacles hindering the construction of Highways in Karnataka especially the one connecting to Goa will be swiftly cleared, making way for the much-anticipated development. The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, has been approached with a formal request in this regard.

PWD minister Satish Jarakiholi who met transport minister recently in Goa was speaking to the media where he said the tender for the Road to Goa would be floated in a weeks time and a good road would be developed for the commuters.

Over the past 12 years, a staggering amount of 10 thousand crores has been allocated to the state for the construction of national highways. However, only a fraction of this sum, approximately Rs. 2,000 crore, has been utilized thus far.

Unfortunately, work has come to a halt at 15 different locations due to a myriad of reasons, including encroachment on forest lands, land disputes, and the displacement of villages. The consequences of this stagnation could prove detrimental to the state’s progress.

Additionally, conflicts with the forest department have arisen in the construction of a road from the Goa border to Kundapur along the coast. Similarly, six locations have been blocked by the forest department. Despite these challenges, the Highways Authority assures us that there is no shortage of funds, and they will be utilized effectively.

To address these impediments, a productive meeting has already taken place with the relevant authorities, including the District Collector and the Forest Department. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the obstacles faced during the construction of the National Highway in the state. Encouragingly, the authorities have responded positively to the concerns raised, indicating a promising path forward.