In a significant move for both residents and commuters, the Public Works Department (PWD) has started the long-awaited widening and improvement project on the main road stretch from Gandhi Chowk to Bodgeshwar Temple in Mapusa. The half-kilometre stretch, which leads to popular beach destinations like Calangute and Anjuna, as well as important villages such as Verla-Canca, Parra, and Arpora-Nagao, is set for a major transformation with an estimated budget of Rs 80 million. The project aims to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety along the 520-metre road. The long-overdue road widening is expected to offer significant relief to motorists and pedestrians once completed. Currently, construction work is focused on widening the road on the left side, which includes building embankments and drains. The project plans for a full four-lane expansion with a central median and footpaths on both sides of the road. PWD officials confirmed that the project will require the demolition and reconstruction of two culverts, one of which is a major structure. Additionally, three to four water pipelines along the route will need to be relocated to facilitate the road widening. The road widening and beautification project was inaugurated by Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, along with Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Nutan Bicholkar and other local council members. A PWD official stated that the project is expected to take at least six months to complete due to the complexities involved, such as relocating major pipelines and constructing culverts. While the road stretch from Bodgeshwar Temple (Canca) to Parra and beyond has already been widened and equipped with footpaths, the Mapusa-side stretch had been delayed due to a court dispute over land acquisition initiated by a local tenant. Once completed, the road widening is expected to significantly improve the commuting experience in Mapusa, offering notable benefits to both local residents and visitors. The road stretch from Gandhi Chowk to Bodgeshwar Temple, which has long been in disrepair, continues to cause significant inconvenience for motorists. The road, already narrow, is in very poor condition, making it a challenging route, especially for two-wheelers. Motorists have been enduring a difficult experience due to uneven surfaces and jerky rides, particularly affecting two-wheeler riders. While the Public Works Department (PWD) recently conducted temporary patch-up work on the road, the repairs have proven inadequate and unsatisfactory. In several areas, the patchwork was either poorly executed or left incomplete, leaving sections of the road still in need of attention. The uneven surface, dotted with small potholes, continues to pose a major hazard.