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• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has initiated the acquisition of additional land in Bhoma and Kundaim villages for the proposed four-laning of the Bhoma-Old Goa stretch of NH-748.
• Nearly 8,863 square metres of privately owned land, including wetland parcels, have been identified for the project, with landowners invited to submit objections within the prescribed period.
• The highway upgrade forms part of a larger effort to improve traffic movement, reduce congestion and strengthen connectivity between Ponda and Old Goa.
• The acquisition marks another milestone in advancing the hybrid annuity project, which is expected to enhance regional transport infrastructure while supporting future economic and tourism growth in Goa.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has moved ahead with the land acquisition process for the proposed expansion of National Highway-748 in Goa, taking another step towards the long-awaited four-laning of the Bhoma, Old Goa corridor. The latest notification covers additional land parcels in Bhoma and Kundaim villages of Ponda taluka, bringing the project closer to the construction phase.
According to the notification, approximately 8,863 square metres of privately owned land have been identified for acquisition. The parcels are spread across 42 survey plots, including several wetland areas, and have been notified under the provisions of the National Highways Act. Property owners and other stakeholders have been given an opportunity to file objections within the stipulated period before the acquisition process moves forward.
The acquisition is part of the proposed four-laning of the Bhoma, Old Goa section of NH-748, a key arterial route that connects Ponda with other important parts of Goa. The corridor experiences significant traffic volumes due to daily commuter movement, industrial activity and tourism, resulting in frequent congestion during peak hours. Authorities believe widening the highway will improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and enhance road safety.
The project has already received administrative approval under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), a public-private partnership framework that combines government funding with private sector participation. The model is increasingly being adopted for major highway projects across the country as it distributes financial risks while ensuring timely project execution. Earlier, the Union government had sanctioned the project with an estimated investment of around 557 crore.
Road planners have indicated that the highway design has been prepared after evaluating multiple alignment options. The final alignment seeks to minimise disruption to existing settlements and preserve important heritage and religious structures located along the corridor. In certain stretches, engineering solutions such as elevated sections have been incorporated to optimise land acquisition requirements while maintaining project efficiency.
The latest notification represents an important procedural milestone rather than the commencement of physical construction. Completion of land acquisition is one of the most critical prerequisites for highway development, particularly in densely populated regions where ownership patterns and environmental considerations require careful examination.
Infrastructure experts note that the NH-748 upgrade is expected to deliver benefits beyond improved road connectivity. Faster movement of goods and passengers could strengthen commercial activity in central Goa while improving access to industrial areas, educational institutions and tourist destinations. The project is also expected to reduce bottlenecks that currently affect freight movement across the corridor.
Once the acquisition process is completed and statutory clearances are secured, construction activities are expected to gather pace. For Goa's expanding transport network, the four-laning of NH-748 represents another significant investment aimed at improving mobility and supporting the state's long-term infrastructure requirements.
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