Centre sanctions Rs 1k crore for Bhoma-Old Goa road expansion

Panaji: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday announced the sanction of Rs 1,060.2 crore for four-laning of a 7-km stretch from Bhoma to Old Goa on NH-748. He said this project will elevate severe congestion and limited Right of Way in Bhoma, Corlim, and Ella.
“This highway, formerly NH 4-A, spans 153km from NH 48 near Belagavi in Karnataka to NH 66 near Panaji, Goa, serving as a vital link for passenger and freight traffic from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka to Goa. With this upgrade, the entire Panaji–Khandepar corridor will feature a four-lane roadway with paved shoulders. Owing to severe congestion and limited Right of Way in Bhoma, Corlim, and Ella, two elevated corridors totalling 4.2km and 7m-wide service roads on both sides have been proposed,” Gadkari said.
Bhoma locals have been opposing the land acquisition for the highway widening and have even approached the high court. They are demanding a bypass road instead.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant expressed his gratitude to Gadkari for sanctioning the new highway expansion work.
“The NH 748, connecting Panaji to Belagavi, will significantly improve ease of travel for commuters and boost business transport, while strengthening a key link to the southern states,” said the chief minister.
This development will significantly improve road safety, reduce traffic jams, and enhance connectivity, giving a major boost to Goa’s infrastructure and economy, said Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
In Oct last year, Gadkari had approved Rs 557 crore for four-laning of 9.6km road along the same stretch, from Ponda to Bhoma on NH 748.
This entire section represents the missing four-lane link between the adjacent four-lane segments of Khandepar to Ponda and the Ribandar bypass. It serves as a critical connection between the major towns of Panaji and Ponda.
This road link is vital for interstate transportation and is expected to enhance connectivity to Dabolim airport and Mormugao port via NH 566 and NH 66. The stretch suffers from congestion and frequent accidents at present.