Goa to get hi-tech highway to make roads safer

Goa will soon have a hi-tech four lane highway with two extra lanes of three metres each for two wheelers exclusively, in a bid to strengthen safety and make the roads environment friendly.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday laid the foundation stone for a four-lane stretch of NH 4A between old Goa and Panaji. The stretch will be numbered 'Highway 17B'.

The 200-metre-long stretch will also have two special lanes of three metres each only for motor cyclists on either side.

Goa's Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said it is a pilot project for catering to address the need of a large number of tourists in the state who use two wheelers for visiting various spots. The model might be used for future development of national highways in the state.

"A large number of motorcyclists are there in Goa and for them we have come up with a special lane for three meters in both the sides and that has been made into lanes and that lane will be used for motorcycles only. It is a pilot project," said Dhavalikar.

The project estimated at a cost of Rs 80.93 crore will be completed by May 30, 2015.

The entire stretch will be illuminated with surveillance cameras installed at entry points. Goa gets 23 lakhs of tourists every year.

Tourism is a major sector in the state, which brings business and boosts its economy. The tourism department keeps coming up with innovative ideas to thrill tourists.