Canacona bypass with three bridges to be operational by June

With over three bridges, the Canacona bypass will be reportedly operational by June 2019. Being part of the ongoing highway expansion project, the Canacona bypass will be constructed an estimated cost of Rs 2.97 billion. The bypass is will reportedly include three vehicular underpasses, 17 piped culverts and four box culverts and will be a four-lane route.

Three bridges, namely one each over the Talpona (450 m), Galgibaga (500 m) and Mashem (130 m) rivers, will be reportedly a part of the 7.74-km-long bypass road. The bridge over Talpona and Galgibaga rivers are expected to be ready by March. However, the bridge over Mashem river is most likely to be open once the bypass is operational.

At present, there are no bridges over the Talpona and Galgibaga rivers. These bridges will, hence, be the first to be constructed. Though the work on the foundation and sub-structure of Mashem bridge is reportedly complete, work on the superstructure is yet to be carried out.

On its completion, the bypass is expected to take just 8 km to reach Polem, of the current 23 km. Also, the bypass is expected to cut short the travel time from Char Rasta in Canacona to Polem by 15 km. Besides, it is expected to improve the connectivity for Canacona locals, who can reach Polem and surrounding areas at present only by taking a roundabout route through Poinguinnim.

The existing highway stretch going from Char Rasta towards Polem passes through a mix of developed areas, hilly terrain and forested patches. This, therefore, made the widening of road as part of the highway difficult. Therefore, the elevated expressway of sorts from Char Rasta towards Polem was conceptualised.