Team Goemkarponn
New Delhi: Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Dr. Ganesh Chandru Gaonkar, met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, at his residence in New Delhi on Monday evening to discuss critical developmental priorities for the Sanvordem constituency. The meeting, held in a spirit of constructive dialogue, focused on improving infrastructure, connectivity, and youth empowerment in the region.
During the interaction, Dr. Gaonkar submitted three formal representations. The first proposal sought sanction under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for the strengthening and hotmixing of MDR-52 and the Kalay Railway Station link road, spanning 20.35 km at an estimated cost of ₹26.03 crore. The project aims to enhance last-mile connectivity, improve road safety, and ensure better access to essential services, particularly across tribal belts.
The second proposal highlighted the need to facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships for the Goa Multi Faculty College (GMFC) at Dharbandora. Dr. Gaonkar underlined the institution’s role in empowering tribal youth through AICTE-approved programmes and skill-based education. He sought support for digital classroom infrastructure, career mentoring initiatives, and industry linkages to help first-generation learners connect with national-level opportunities.
The third representation pertained to the long-pending 4-laning of NH-748 — a vital corridor linking Belgaum to Panaji. Dr. Gaonkar urged the early sanctioning of DPR-ready stretches and called for resolving compensatory afforestation hurdles delaying forest clearance. He reminded the Minister that while alternate afforestation land was to be acquired in Karnataka, repeated rejections of the proposed parcels have stalled progress. Emphasising the project’s importance to logistics, defence, tourism, and regional mobility, he urged institutional coordination to expedite clearances without cost escalation.
Union Minister Gadkari gave the proposals a patient and positive hearing, acknowledging their strategic importance and assuring full cooperation from his Ministry. He also appreciated the spirit of public participation in Sanvordem, especially the tribal communities’ constructive approach toward the NH widening initiative.
As a mark of respect, Dr. Gaonkar presented the Minister with a copy of his Marathi autobiography, Me Ganesh Gaonkar, which narrates his inspiring journey from humble beginnings—walking 8 km barefoot to school and working in the mines—to rising as a union leader, panch, sarpanch, MLA, GTDC Managing Director, and now the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with Minister Gadkari agreeing to initiate necessary steps for compliance and execution. Dr. Gaonkar expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s continued support and reaffirmed his commitment to the vision of “Viksit Goa, Viksit Bharat.”
