NH 4A Belagavi Goa widening still awaiting forest clearance
Government has recently reviewed certain stalled highway projects under different phases of National Highways Development Projects (NHDP) as per details placed Four laning of Belgaum- Khanapur NH-4A of a total of 81.899 kms which has a project cost of Rs.359 crores is Pending forest clearance for majority of the stretch (52.12 km), the concessionaire has not started construction. The Matter has been pursued with the concerned Department.
This information was given by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Pon Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
In August 2013, the Minister of State for Transport Dr.Tushar A. Chaudhary said though the Project of Belgaum-Khanapur & 2-lane paved shoulders of Khanapur-Goa was awarded under NHDP Phase III and concession agreement was signed on 30-09-2010. However delay in Clearance by Forest diversions proposals, wild life clearance and handing over of the private land by the land owners the project could not be started. So also 4 laning from Goa/Karnataka Border to Panaji awarded was also canceled due to unresolved issues relating to acquisition of land.
In total 33lakhs 94 thousand 729 sq mtrs of land will be acquired for the 4 laning of the road. Out of 547 survey numbers advertised for acquisition 49 as government and remainder belong to private.
The FOUR laning of the NH4A of Belgaum-Khanpur Section(Km 0.00 to Km 30.00) and 2 Laning with paved sholuders of Khanpur-Karnataka/Goa border.(Km 30.00 to Km 84.120) was awarded to M/s GVR Infra Projects-RMN Infrastructure Ltd in july 2010 under the NHDP Phase IIIA. But no work was commenced due to non clearances. The entire stretch is of 81.89 kms and the entire project cost is Rs.359 crores. The project is a Public Private Participation on Design, Build , Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) Toll basis project. Time alloted for completion of construction work only is 30 months.