CANACONA: Around 6,500 trees have been identified within the proposed NH-66 four-laning corridor between Bendordem (Balli) and Polem, though officials say the actual number of trees to be cut could be considerably lower once the final alignment is approved.
The ₹952-crore project, to be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), covers a 22.10-km stretch from Bendordem to the beginning of the Manohar Parrikar Canacona Bypass and from the end of the bypass up to Polem near the Goa-Karnataka border.
Addressing a public presentation on the alignment, Canacona MLA and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said construction is expected to commence in October 2026 and is scheduled for completion within two-and-a-half years.
PWD officials said nearly 98.5 hectares of land will be required for the expansion. While part of the land is available within the existing highway corridor, additional land will be acquired from forest areas and private properties.
To minimise hill cutting, the project includes a 1.24-km viaduct across valley sections. Other proposed facilities include 19 bus shelters with toilets and tea kiosks, six service roads, a toll plaza near Polem, public conveniences, pedestrian amenities, highway lighting, rainwater harvesting structures, emergency medical aid centres and highway patrol units.
The upgraded corridor will also feature seven minor bridges, 78 culverts, drains, retaining walls, slope protection measures and several vehicular and pedestrian underpasses. Service roads have been proposed at Bendordem, Barcem, Agonda Road, Gulem and Loliem.
During the public consultation, residents urged authorities to provide dedicated cattle and wildlife crossings in areas such as Gulem, Polem and Padi, and raised concerns over damaged parapet walls along parts of the existing Canacona bypass.
PWD Chief Engineer Dattaprasad Kamat clarified that although nearly 6,500 trees fall within the project area, only those required for the final alignment would be removed.
Officials said suggestions received during the consultation would be considered before the project design is finalised.
