Goa-Mumbai highway to be ready in 4 months: Gadkari

Margao: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Friday that the four-laning of the Goa-Mumbai NH 66, spanning approximately 500km, will be completed within the next three to four months. The Rs 7,300 crore project is expected to reduce travel time between Goa and Mumbai to five to six hours from the current 12 hours.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the observatory towers over the Zuari at Chicalim, Gadkari described the project as India’s first of its kind and compared it to the Eiffel Tower. The event was attended by chief minister Pramod Sawant and other dignitaries.

The Rs 270 crore project, created to global standards under the build-operate-transfer model, is designed to attract international tourists and significantly boost Goa’s economy without straining state finances.

The development is expected to generate local employment opportunities, with the state earning revenue through GST on ticket sales.

The project will feature a revolving restaurant, art gallery, multiple viewing decks, and world-class tourist amenities. The towers will be connected by 7.5-m-wide walkway bridges, with completion expected within five years.

Gadkari suggested Goa govt organise a design competition for professional planners of the state to ensure global architectural standards for the project.

“People from across the world will visit this iconic project to take in the breathtaking view of entire Goa and the seas,” he said. He recommended the selection of the best concept themes from among the entries received.

He said Goa’s cultural landmarks should be presented to visitors. “Goa’s rich history, including that of its liberation, and its culture, should be showcased to visitors in a transparent manner using the best technological tools and resources,” Gadkari said.

The minister also announced several proposed road projects, including the four-laning of the Cuncolim-Bendurdem road, four-laning of the Anmod to Mollem section, four-laning of the Mollem to Khandepar section, and the construction of a bridge at Borim over the Zuari.

Stressing the need to strike a balance between the environment and development, Gadkari urged Goa govt to proactively plan for reducing air pollution, alleviating traffic congestion, and providing efficient parking solutions in the state.