Daijiworld Special Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Jul 20: Goa government today favoured widening of the highway  in the state to boost the tourism.

"We should work together for the development of the state. If there is any displacement due to this project, we will rehabilitate them,'' state public works department minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar told the state legislative assembly.

The Goa state assembly on Friday July 20 rejected the resolution moved by Save Goa Front legislator Churchill Alemao opposing six-lane highway in the state. The resolution was moved citing that the expressway will divide the villages and destruct heritage houses and agricultural fields.

"Such a road is need of hour in Goa.. We are widening national highway 17 from North to South Goa, costing Rs 300 crore, covering 55 kms,'' Dhavalikar said. 

The opposition benches, while supporting the widening of the road, however, objected to the proposal of expressway, which was planned earlier by the state government. 

"No one is opposing the widening of the road. We oppose the six-lane,'' leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said.