Panaji: Amid opposition, govt has finalised land acquisition for the new Borim bridge, acquiring 3.40 lakh sqm of land at Loutolim, Borim, and Bandora villages. Officials said the procedure to award compensation for the acquired land will begin soon.
A four-lane cable-stayed bridge has been planned at Borim. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 300 crore, including the approaches to the bridge.
The project involves building a new Borim bridge with approaches across the Zuari and a 5.7km bypass to the existing Borim bridge on NH 566.
“After the compensation for the acquired land is paid, the possession of the land will be taken. Accordingly, an estimate for the project will be prepared and sent for the sanction of the Union ministry of road transport and highways. As it is a cable-stayed bridge, the cost of the project is expected to be high,” said an official.
The project is expected to take at least three years to complete, said an official.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been approached by villagers of Borim and Loutolim challenging the construction of the new Borim bridge.
The next hearing of the matter is scheduled for Dec 2.
The villagers of Borim and Loutolim have said that the area of the project exceeds 1.5 lakh sqm of land.
Challenging the construction of the proposed bridge over the Zuari river, the applicants have alleged that the requisite environmental clearance has not been obtained.
The PWD and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) have sought time to file replies.