Contractor gets six more months to ready Porvorim elevated road

Panaji: The deadline to complete the six-lane Porvorim elevated corridor has been extended to Oct, public works department (PWD) officials said. It pushes the anticipated traffic relief from April on one of the state’s busiest stretches.

After a review meeting on Monday, officials said about 70% of the work has been completed. The delay was attributed to foundation corrections, which have since been carried out.

With only superstructure work pending, the elevated corridor is now expected to open to traffic in Oct this year, easing congestion through Porvorim, an official said.

However, with the extension in the contract granted, it also means a longer period of dealing with traffic congestion on the Porvorim stretch for commuters. This also raises concerns over the difficulties to be faced during the monsoon by commuters. Though diversions and new alternative roads have been provided, a traffic jam is witnessed nearly every day during peak hours on the Porvorim stretch at present.

The Rs 450 crore project is being constructed by RRSM Infra and is funded by the Union highways ministry.

Work on the six-lane elevated corridor began in Sep 2024, within the first four months, 50% of the work had been completed. The contractors were aiming for completion of the project by Dec 2025, which was four months ahead of the April 2026 schedule. However, issues over traffic diversion delayed the works. Porvorim is one of the busiest road stretches in Goa.

The project, which is 5.2km long, will begin from Hotel Majestic in Porvorim and extend till the junction on Guirim side.

There will be 300m distance from the Atal Setu landing and the approach of the elevated highway on the Hotel Majestic end. Between the Atal Setu landing and the approach of the elevated road a junction will come up like the one at Merces to allow traffic access to all roads, including the service roads.

Similar 300m distance will be kept between the land of the elevated highway and the start of the Guirim overpass, with a junction provided in this space for traffic to circulate.

RRSM Infra will be responsible for maintenance of the elevated highway for a 10-year period.