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The Goa government is moving ahead with plans to widen a 33 km stretch of National Highway 4A through Mollem to improve connectivity between Goa and Karnataka. The project, currently under regulatory review, includes preparation of a detailed report and environmental approvals. A major concern is that the expansion passes through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, potentially impacting forest cover and wildlife, with around 7,000 trees expected to be affected. The proposal has faced ongoing opposition from local communities and environmental groups, even as authorities position it as a key infrastructure upgrade to ease traffic, reduce travel time and support regional economic activity.
The Goa government is progressing with plans to expand a key stretch of National Highway 4A passing through Mollem, even as environmental concerns and local opposition continue to shape the project's trajectory in the past week. The proposal involves four-laning approximately 33 km of roadway between Khandekar, Mollem, and the Goa Karnataka border, forming part of a broader effort to upgrade highway infrastructure and improve interstate connectivity. Advertisement
The project is being advanced with the preparation of a detailed project report and submission of proposals to relevant environmental authorities for statutory clearances. It is expected to be funded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with officials indicating that due process is being followed to secure approvals before construction progresses further.
A significant portion of the proposed alignment passes through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected forest region within the Western Ghats known for its biodiversity. This has remained the central point of contention, with environmental groups and local communities raising concerns over potential ecological damage, including the felling of thousands of trees and disruption to wildlife habitats. Estimates indicate that around 7,000 trees may need to be cut as part of the project, necessitating compensatory afforestation and mitigation measures.
The highway expansion has been under discussion for several years and has faced repeated delays due to regulatory scrutiny and public protests. Local opposition has centred on the ecological sensitivity of the region, with campaigners highlighting the importance of preserving forest cover within the Western Ghats, a globally recognised biodiversity zone. Earlier movements opposing similar infrastructure interventions in the Mollem region had drawn national attention, reflecting the scale of resistance to projects perceived to impact protected areas.
Regulatory bodies have also raised concerns during the approval process. Committees reviewing the proposal have sought clarifications on environmental impact assessments, tree felling data, and mitigation strategies, indicating the need for compliance with conservation norms before clearance is granted.
Despite these challenges, the project is being positioned by authorities as a necessary infrastructure upgrade aimed at easing traffic movement, reducing travel time, and supporting economic activity by strengthening connectivity between Goa and neighbouring Karnataka. The Mollem stretch is among the remaining sections in the state where highway widening is yet to be completed, with earlier expansion works across Goa having commenced nearly a decade ago.
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