Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court has passed an interim order staying the operation and implementation of the land acquisition declaration issued for land earmarked for the proposed Borim bridge project.
Pending further orders, the court has directed that no trees on the acquired land be cut and no construction activity be undertaken without its prior approval.
The directions were issued during the hearing of a petition concerning the bridge project. While protecting the acquired land through its interim order, the court observed that the State government is at liberty to pursue the required Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the project.
The proposed Borim bridge is one of the State’s key infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity across the Zuari River. According to the Public Works Department’s National Highways Division, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) with an estimated cost of around ₹1,000 crore has already been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for approval.
The project is expected to move to the tendering stage once the Centre grants its sanction. PWD Minister Digambar Kamat has stated that the government is aiming to complete the bridge by 2028.
Officials have also indicated that the acquisition of land required for the bridge’s approach roads has been completed.
With the interim stay now in force, any work on the acquired land, including tree felling and construction, will require the High Court’s permission until the matter is decided further.
