MUMBAI: After decades of delays, the ambitious Rs 26,000-crore Marine Superhighway, planned parallel to the existing Goa highway, is finally moving from the drawing board to the execution stage, with chief minister Eknath Shinde recently performing the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.
The nearly 500km route will not only provide a scenic environment along the coast and the Sahyadri terrains, but also go a long way to decongest the Mumbai-Goa highway, offering quicker access to towns and tourist attractions along the coastline.
7 bridges over creeks & rivers
The total distance spanned by the seven bridges amounts to 27 kilometers. These bridges connect various locations, enabling transportation and commerce.
- Over Dharamtar Creek in Karja – The Dharamtar Creek bridge in Karja spans an impressive 10.2 kilometers. Constructed using steel, this bridge stands as a testament to modern engineering and design.
- Over Kundlika Creek in Revdanda-Salav – In Revdanda-Salav, a cable-stayed bridge spans the Kundlika Creek, covering a distance of 3.8 kilometers.
- Over Agardanda Creek in Dighi Agardanda – The Agardanda Creek is located in Dighi. Spanning a distance of 4.3 kilometers, the bridge that crosses the creek is a cable-stayed structure.
- Over Bankot Creek in Bagmandla Veshwi -A cable-stayed bridge spans 1.7 kilometers over Bankot Creek in Bagmandla Veshwi.
- Over Kelshi Bay in Kelshi – The bridge spanning Kelshi Bay is situated in Kelshi, extending for a distance of 670 meters. Its structural design follows the principles of a “Box girder” configuration.
- Over Jaigad Creek – The Jaigad Creek bridge, spanning 4.4 kilometers, is a cable-stayed structure that connects two points across the water.
- At Kunkeshwar – At Kunkeshwar, a cable-stayed bridge spans a distance of 1.6 kilometers.
In several areas, the project will involve expanding the existing two-lane road that runs parallel to the coast. As a result, some residential properties and forest areas will need to be acquired
An MSRDC official
4 lanes
The highway will connect all sea cities of the Konkan with an expressway-like road on the lines of California’s famed Pacific Highway