BELAGAVI: Work on upgrading the 84-km stretch of
national highway from
Belagavi to the
Goa border via Khanapur, Gunji and Ramnagar will begin soon. The work will be taken up at a cost of Rs 1,342.98 crore.
Since vehicles will be barred from using this stretch of the highway, the district administration has sought detailed reports from officials about alternative routes to be provided once the work begins. It has also sought details about the problems that might emerge.
Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari had laid the foundation stone for the project in March. The project has been divided into two packages - one from Belagavi to Khanapur and Khanapur to Goa border.
This road passes through Gunji, Londa, Ramnagar, Tinaighat and Anmod. The last 14-km stretch of this project passes through a forest and approval has been taken from the authorities concerned and mitigation measures have also been approved.
With the road works expected to begin soon, it is up to the district administrations of Belagavi and
Dharwad to find out alternative routes for commuters. The Khanapur, Gunji, Londa, Ramnagar, Tinaighat and Anmod route is taken by most people commuting between Goa and Belagavi and Goa and Dharwad.
There is an alternative route between Belagavi and Goa via Charla Ghat and Jamboti. But it is a single road and there will be chances of heavy traffic on this road once road works begin.
A few days ago, Belagavi DC S Ziyaullah asked officials to submit detailed reports on optional roads, number of trees that need to cut besides relocation of electric and telephone poles and water pipelines. Two teams comprised of tahsildars and taluk panchayat officials have been formed to conduct a survey. These teams will also advise how the trees can be protected.
Get ready for toll
Once the project is completed, vehicle owners will need to cough-up toll at two places on the 84-km stretch before reaching the Goa border. One toll plaza will come up between Belagavi and Khanapur and the other will be between Khanapur and the Goa border. Presently, there are no toll plazas on this stretch.
