Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, May 27: The Centre has approved the four-laning of the Cuncolim-Bendordem stretch of National Highway-66 in South Goa at an estimated cost of Rs 1,880.11 crore, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday.

The project aims to ease traffic congestion on one of South Goa’s busiest highway corridors connecting Cuncolim and Bendordem, where commuters frequently face heavy traffic movement through town centres.

According to official details, the project includes dedicated bypasses for Cuncolim and Balli towns to divert through-traffic away from densely populated urban areas.

The sanctioned work also comprises a 5.78-km six-lane elevated corridor along with a six-lane railway overbridge.

Apart from the main highway expansion, the project will include service roads, junction improvements and pedestrian safety infrastructure across the corridor.

Chief Minister Sawant stated that the bypasses for Cuncolim and Balli are expected to significantly reduce congestion inside town limits and improve travel time for commuters using the NH-66 stretch.

He added that the infrastructure upgrade would further strengthen connectivity and support economic growth in South Goa.

Taking to social media platform X, Sawant thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for approving the project.

Describing it as a “landmark moment” for Goa’s infrastructure development, the Chief Minister said the sanction reflected the Centre’s continued focus on the state under the BJP’s “double-engine government” model.