Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has said the government is contemplating the possibility of developing a coastal highway connecting Goa to Mumbai on the lines of one on the Las Vegas – St Francisco Pacific Coast.
“I have been to the USA recently. I had an opportunity to travel on the St Francisco – Las Vegas Pacific Coast highway. I travelled for almost 12 hours by road,” Gadkari said after laying the foundation stone for 4/6 laning of NH 4-A and 17 in Goa.
Gadkari said during his visit to the Pacific Coast highway, the concept of developing Goa – Mumbai coastal highway on similar lines struck his mind. “I thought that we could similarly develop a Mumbai – Goa coastal highway for tourism purpose. An international agency has been assigned work of preparing a detailed project report on Mumbai – Goa coastal highway,” the minister said.
Gadkari said the coastal highway requires construction of 22 flyovers. “During my tenure as PWD minister in Maharashtra government, I completed 18 flyovers. We have to construct four more fly overs. One of the important bridges has to be constructed connecting Revas to Alibag which will be a sea link costing Rs 500-600 crore. The work on coastal highway will begin from next year,” he stated.
Gadkari informed that during his visit to the USA, he saw a road which, between a bridge and the sea, houses hotels and restaurants. “We want to develop Mumbai – Goa coastal highway on similar lines,” he commented.
“I am happy to inform you that during our tenure we constructed new national highways of 330 kms for which Rs 3,500 crore were spent,” he added. The minister informed that the new bridge over Zuari bridge would be a “world attraction” which is being constructed at the cost Rs 2,500 crore.
There will be towers at the both the sides of the bridge and there will be a road via river to reach to these towers. “All the works which are taken up in Goa would be completed by 2018,” he added.
(PTI)