Goa to Get Relief from Traffic Jams with New Maharashtra-Karnataka Ring Road
Mumbai: In a move aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion, the Indian government is planning to construct a massive ring road connecting Maharashtra and Karnataka, running along the periphery of Goa.
The announcement came on Friday from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who believes this ambitious project will significantly alleviate the traffic woes plaguing the popular tourist destination. The proposal stems from a request made by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, who highlighted the issue of gridlocks and heavy traffic on the national highway.
A Boon for Goa?
The ring road, estimated to cost between Rs 12,000-15,000 crores, will begin at Patradevi, a village on the Goa-Maharashtra border, and stretch through Karnataka, effectively bypassing the heart of Goa. This strategic route aims to decongest the existing highway and improve connectivity between the three states.
“The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is considering a ring road from Patradevi (village on Goa-Maharashtra border) to Karnataka which will run through the outer side of Goa, avoiding cutting through the middle of the state, to decongest the national highway. I have urged CM Sawant to finalise the alignment of the road, which will be built spending Rs 12,000-Rs 15,000 crores,” Gadkari stated.
More Than Just Roads
Gadkari also unveiled plans for a new tower on the Zuari Bridge in south Goa, a project undertaken jointly by the government and private companies. This tower will feature viewing decks, an observatory, a restaurant, and other amenities, modeled after the iconic Eiffel Tower.
The minister envisions the tower becoming a major international attraction, generating substantial revenue for the state through GST on visitor tickets. He also suggested incorporating Goa’s liberation history into the tower’s exhibits, using technology to present a transparent and engaging narrative.
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