Work in progress on the Khanapur-Anmod stretch of the Belagavi-Panaji National Highway.
Photo Credits: Louis Rodrigues
After a long and agonising wait, commuters from North Karnataka and Goa region have good news as work on the Khanapur-Anmod section of the Belagavi-Panaji NH-748 (Old NH4A) has finally commenced.
The contractor VM Matere Infrastructure (India) Pvt. Ltd began work on November 21, giving relief to thousands of commuters in both the states.
While part of the work was done by Dilip Buildcon Ltd, the 52.300 km two-lane on the national highway with/without paved shoulder, rigid pavement will be now completed by the new contractor at the cost of 139.99 crore.
“The work was awarded in March this year. However, due to some technical issues it was delayed. Now everything has been cleared and the contractor has been given a deadline of 18 months to complete the work,” Kiran G of the NHAI told The Goan.
It may be recalled that there had been a delay by earlier contractors implementing the two-laning of the NH4A due to a High Court stay obtained by environmentalists from Bengaluru in 2019.
However, stating that there was no need for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take prior environment clearance to widen the Belagavi-Goa highway NH4A, the Karnataka High Court had vacated the stay in March 21.
Citing heavy losses due to the court stay and Covid lockdown Dilip Buildcon had withdrawn from the work taken up. This had added to the woes of commuters who were facing lots of difficulties traveling on this stretch. Breakdown of vehicles and frequent accidents were witnessed.
However, as the work has resumed villagers and commuters have expressed satisfaction hoping that the ongoing work would continue till it is complete.
“We are also vigilant and personally monitoring the quality of the work. The NHAI authorities have also been cooperating in case of any discrepancies found. After a long wait of about four years, we are hopeful that the work would be complete and travelling between Goa and Belagavi would be more comfortable and faster,” Dinkar Margale, an activist from Khanapur, said.
