The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a budget of Rs 990 million for the construction of a new rail overbridge in Margao, Goa, near Shree Damodar Vidyalaya High School and Higher Secondary School, Comba. This decision comes after the Goa government proposed the project to alleviate vehicular congestion in the area. Once completed, the new overbridge is expected to significantly ease traffic flow in Margao by eliminating the need for vehicles to wait at the level crossing near the school, which is currently closed whenever trains pass through. This closure often leads to traffic diversions through a subway at Comba.

The closure of the level crossing is particularly crucial as the railway track-doubling work is underway, which is expected to increase the frequency of trains passing through the area. Moreover, concerns about pedestrian safety have been raised in the past due to accidents at the crossing. The construction of the overbridge will mitigate these risks and streamline transportation in Margao.

However, another proposal made by the state government for Margao, involving the construction of a missing link of the ring road connecting the powerhouse junction to the Colva circle via Margao, is yet to receive approval from the Centre. This proposed link, located approximately 300 meters from Shree Damodar School, carries an estimated cost of Rs 958 million.

The Margao ring road, partially constructed and commissioned for traffic in 2018, faced obstacles due to opposition from locals whose houses would be affected. As a result, only a portion of the road, from the Colva road to the Fomento headquarters, has been completed, while the remainder remains unfinished. (Source: ET)