The long-awaited four-lane loop 2 road project on NH 17-B, providing connectivity to the Mormugao Port Authority’s (MPA) gate No. 9 for cargo transportation, is expected to be inaugurated in Jan. The project was constructed as part of a tripartite agreement between the state PWD, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the MPA.
The 5.2km loop 1 of the project, connecting Varunapuri to Sada junction, was inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Jan 3, 2022.
The loop 2 from Ravindra Bhavan junction to MPA gate No. 9, an up ramp and a down ramp, with a total length of 3.5km, is complete and awaiting inauguration.
The project was awarded to Gammon Engineers and Contractors for Rs 546 crore.
The work began in Oct 2015 and was scheduled to be completed in Oct 2018. However, the project was delayed due to a change of scope and financial conditions of the contractor. The project finally cost Rs 644.1 crore in all.
Loop 2 will pave the way for the expansion of cargo handling at the port, besides relieving
surrounding areas of container truck traffic. The project is one of its kind, as it is with a cable-stayed bridge or road overbridge constructed on a curve.