The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through the Goa Public Works Department (PWD), has tendered the work to four-lane the remaining 22.1 km stretch of highway. The widening will cost over Rs 10 billion. Once completed, only the controversial stretch in Cuncolim will remain for four-laning on the Mumbai to Kanyakumari highway.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the project, which covers the stretch from Bendordem to the Canacona bypass and further to the Karnataka border at Polem. The stretch is part of the larger Mumbai-Kanyakumari four-lane corridor, crucial for South Goa’s connectivity.

The development will significantly reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and address accident-prone zones along the route, which connects Margao, Cuncolim, and Canacona. The tender process will close on January 13, 2025.

The project will be implemented under the hybrid annuity model, with the government providing 40% of the construction cost and the remaining 60% paid over the concession period. Once completed, the focus will shift to the Cuncolim bypass, with land acquisition proceedings already underway.