Navy Clearance Holds Up Bogmalo Flyover Project
PANAJI: In a major development, the construction of the four-lane flyover from MES College Junction to Bogmalo Junction has been stalled until the Indian Navy grants its No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) informed the Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday that it has directed its contractor, M/s M Venkata Rao Infra Projects, to halt work until the Navy decides on its pending NOC application.
A Division Bench comprising Justice M. S. Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta has now directed the Indian Navy to make a decision on the NOC within two weeks.
The construction was challenged through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed last month by Commander Atul Pant and the Forum Against Corruption, Illegality, and Destruction. The petitioners argued that the project was being undertaken without the necessary clearances and posed a serious security risk. They further alleged that the installation of massive pillars could obstruct flight operations and compromise safety at the Dabolim International Airport, which handles both military and civilian flights.
During a hearing on February 18, the Indian Navy informed the High Court that the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority had never been granted an NOC for the project. The Navy also stated that it had previously written to the authority, urging it to stop the NHAI’s work.
Following this, on February 19, NHAI issued a letter instructing the contractor to cease all work within the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) and Funnel Zone. The letter, submitted in court on Monday, stated:
“Instructions have been issued to the contractor M/s M Venkata Rao Infra Projects to stop the work from Chg. Km. 7890 to Chg. Km. 8+550 (Funnel Zone Area),” as per C. O. P. Furtado, GM (T) and Project Director, NHAI/PIU-Goa.
NHAI also informed the court that it had applied for the NOC in December 2024, but the request remains pending.
Capt. Viriato Fernandes Welcomes Court’s Decision
Reacting to the development, South Goa Member of Parliament Capt. Viriato Fernandes expressed his happiness over the High Court’s order. He criticized the government for allegedly using the flyover project as a means to hinder the operations of Dabolim Airport.
“When the government failed to divert all aircraft from Dabolim to Mopa, they came up with this flyover to halt the airport completely. We welcome the court’s decision,” Capt. Fernandes said.
The court’s directive now puts the onus on the Indian Navy to determine whether the flyover will receive clearance, a decision that could significantly impact both infrastructure development and airport operations in Goa.
