Goa’s Public Works Department, Goa has submitted an infrastructure expansion proposal worth Rs 70.77 billion to the Union government, placing the package before Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said. The proposal includes a mix of long-pending and high-impact road and bridge projects across the state. Among the largest projects are the Borim bridge with approach roads, estimated at Rs 12.35 billion, and the Cuncolim bypass on National Highway 66, pegged at Rs 19.38 billion. The package also proposes major four-laning works, including the Goa–Karnataka border stretch at Mollem costing Rs 24.97 billion, the Mollem–Khandepar section at Rs 10.66 billion, and the Arlem eastern bypass at Rs 6 billion, for which the detailed project report has already been completed. Mr Kamat said most DPRs had been submitted earlier and that the state had previously been able to undertake infrastructure works worth Rs 300 billion with support from the Union ministry. He added that the minister had assured consideration of all proposals. The comments were made on the sidelines of the launch of an e-sign module for works management under the department’s e-governance initiative. Alongside new projects, the PWD has begun a comprehensive safety review of existing infrastructure. Audits of all major and minor bridges and culverts are underway, along with structural audits of government buildings, including the Margao overbridge. The department is also planning reforms in road maintenance through a five-year annual maintenance contract model, under which contractors will be responsible for upkeep. Mr Kamat said efforts were also being made to assign one contractor per assembly constituency to address potholes, adding that most main roads in Goa are currently pothole-free. He said the department would take a strict approach to road digging by other agencies, requiring proper approvals and visible disclosures, and aims to complete the Porvorim bridge by December.