Daijiworld Media Network – Mapusa
Mapusa, Sep 9: Goa’s much-awaited six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim is set to be inaugurated on Wednesday, bringing an end to nearly 29 months of construction that caused traffic diversions, congestion, dust and inconvenience to motorists and residents.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the 5.15-km corridor at a function scheduled for 6 pm on September 9 in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other leaders. A stage has been set up on the Panaji side of the corridor for the ceremony.
Executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the elevated corridor is aimed at easing the long-standing traffic congestion on the Porvorim stretch of NH-66, one of North Goa’s busiest road corridors and an important link between the northern and southern parts of the state.
The construction phase proved challenging for motorists as work was carried out alongside live traffic. Lane restrictions, diversions, barricades and road works frequently resulted in long queues, particularly during peak hours. Those travelling between Panaji and Mapusa, as well as motorists heading towards North Goa, had to negotiate narrowed carriageways and slow-moving traffic.
Residents and businesses along the stretch also faced considerable disruption, with dust, noise, construction vehicles, barricades and restricted access becoming part of daily life.
One of the major challenges during construction was the limited working space available along the existing highway. The elevated structure had to be built within a constrained right of way while keeping NH-66 operational throughout the project. Piling and pier construction were carried out close to moving traffic, requiring extensive traffic-management measures.
The project also involved working around existing utilities and maintaining access to commercial establishments and other properties along the busy corridor.
The completed structure comprises 1,431 concrete segments supported by 88 piers and 87 spans. The construction contract was awarded to Rajasthan-based Rajendra Singh Bamboo Infra Pvt Ltd.
Work began in mid-April 2024 under an initial 24-month schedule, with completion targeted for April 2026. The contractor was later granted a six-month extension after the required depth of piling increased.
The elevated corridor has been designed to carry through traffic above the existing NH-66, allowing the ground-level road to cater more effectively to local traffic and access movements.
The project is now expected to provide a smoother and more efficient route for through traffic and ease the bottlenecks that have long affected Porvorim. For motorists who endured months of construction-related disruption, the inauguration marks the beginning of a crucial test of whether the long-awaited corridor can deliver lasting relief from congestion.