Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jun 27: In a significant development aimed at enhancing Goa’s infrastructure and tourism appeal, contractor Dilip Buildcon Ltd has announced that the towering observatories atop the new Zuari Bridge will be completed by 2028. The ambitious Rs 270-crore project, which involves constructing two 125-metre-high towers, is being executed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
The foundation stone for the twin towers was laid last month, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) granting a five-year deadline for completion. However, the contractor is targeting an early finish by 2028.
Each tower will feature three floors, with the middle one designed as a semi-open deck, offering panoramic views of the Zuari River and surrounding landscapes. According to Atul Joshi, Vice-President (Construction), four high-speed elevators in each tower will ferry visitors to the top.
While exact floor functions will be finalised over the next few years, proposals include restaurants, viewing decks, and observatories. Each tower is expected to accommodate up to 500 visitors at a time, making it a major tourist attraction in the state.
Currently, machinery mobilisation and environmental assessments are underway. Construction is likely to begin post-monsoon in 2025.
As part of the larger plan, a 7.5-metre-wide pedestrian walkway will flank both marine sides of the bridge, connecting visitors to the towers. Additionally, dedicated parking spaces at both ends of the bridge will facilitate smooth tourist access. A walkway from the parking lots will lead to the tower bases.
To ease initial financial pressures and promote early revenue generation, Dilip Buildcon has been allotted additional commercial land in Verna. These commercial activities are expected to bridge revenue gaps as the tower footfall gradually scales up.
The contractor will operate the towers for 50 years, during which it will recoup costs through visitor entry fees. Once operational, the Zuari bridge towers are expected to emerge as Goa’s signature tourist experience, combining architecture, leisure, and sweeping natural vistas.