Belagavi-Panjim road work resumes after 4 years

BELAGAVI: Here is some news to cheer for the commuters between Belagavi and Goa, as the Belagavi-Panjim National Highway-748 (Old NH4A) via Ramnagar Ghat section has been resumed after long gap. The work was hanging in the balance due to court stay and stepping back of the contractor from continuing the project. The two-laning highway work was halted in 2019 following the court stay obtained by environmentalists, objecting to the cutting of trees. Although, high court vacated the stay in March 2021, the contractor – Dilip Buildcon Ltd, stepped back from the work, citing the heavy loss in the project due to court stay followed by Covid lockdown.
Stepping back of the contractor to continue the project added to the woes of commuters travelling on this stretch. Incomplete work also caused many accidents and casualties in between. Before stepping back from the project, contractor Dilip Buildcon Ltd had completed 69% of the work of the total 54-km stretch.
Now, the National Highway Authority of India (NHIA) has awarded the balance work (two-lane with and without shoulders) to M/S VM Matere Infrastructure (India) Pvt Ltd, Pune for a bid cost of Rs 139.99 crore. The new contractor is supposed to complete the work within 18 months and maintain the project for the next 10 years. The project covers 11 minor bridges, one major bridge and two road over bridges.
The contractor began work on November 21, giving solace to thousands of commuters in both the states. Speaking to TOI, NHAI officer Kiran G said the work was awarded in March this year, but due to some technical issues, the commencement of work was delayed. However, now everything has been cleared.
Activist Dinkar Margale from Khanapur said he is hopeful that the work will be completed soon making it easier to travel between Goa and Belagavi.