PWD seeks 3 patrol vehicles to check hwy encroachments

Panaji: To curb rising encroachments along major highways, a proposal to hire three patrolling vehicles for the public works department (PWD) was forwarded to state govt. The proposal was discussed during the recent meeting of the North Goa District Road Safety Committee (DRSC), held under the chairmanship of additional collector Gurudas Desai.

According to officials, the proposed patrolling vehicles are to be deployed on NH 66, NH 748, and NH 748-AA. The total estimated cost for hiring the three vehicles is around Rs 34 lakh. However, the proposal is currently awaiting expenditure sanction from state govt.


A specific concern raised during the meeting was related to roadside vendors operating near Holy Cross Church at Bambolim and other areas in North Goa. Representatives of the committee urged strict action by PWD division VII (national highways), including the removal of vendors occupying highway shoulders. They also recommended that the eviction process be video-documented and that formal communication be sent to the panchayat, police station, and mamlatdar concerned to ensure transparency.