The Rs 229-crore project to be implemented under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Two-Laning with/without paved shoulders from km 0.000 to km 69.480 (Design) of Sanquelim to Belagavi Section of NH-748AA in the State of Goa and Karnataka will be delayed as the NHAI has directed the private firm that prepared the detailed project report for an upgrade of NH 748AA, which passes through wildlife-protected areas in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, to get wildlife and forest diversion clearances, reports the IndianExpress.
Currently this Chorla Road, commonly called is in a terrible state and mostly unmotorable especially from Belagavi to Karnataka – Goa Border.
The project passes through larger protected-area networks such as the Kali Tiger Reserve, Dandeli Sanctuary (Castlerock area), Bhimgad Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Mhadei Sanctuary, Tillari Conservation Reserve, Chandgad Conservation Reserve, Radhanagari Sanctuary and the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve besides reserve forests spread across Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had red-flagged this project. Giridhar Kulkarni, a wildlife conservationist had filed a petition with the NTCA, and hence the same project was Flagged and NHAI was asked to submit a fresh proposal to the wildlife board to obtain the necessary clearance.
DCF Belagavi has insisted NHAI/Contractor apply for forest diversion for any works to be taken up beyond 5.5 m for blacktopping the road reports the Indianexpress.
The said work was to commence in June but still hasn’t been commenced.
The Goa Govt has repaired the said partially but the Karnataka side hasn’t been repaired.
On a personal point of view this road shouldn’t be widened . It should stay as it is . The current existing road should be repaired though .