Panaji: Goa is soon set to get its first underpass constructed for the safe passage of cattle. The detailed project report (DPR) for this cattle underpass at Moita in Agasaim, in St Andre constituency, has already been prepared, said officials. It is expected to cost Rs 46 crore and will be funded by the Centre.“The DPR, which consists of construction of the service roads and cattle underpass, has been already submitted to the road and highway ministry on Jan 22. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 46.4 crore,” said an official.“Once the sanction is received, the tender will be floated for award of the work and subsequently its execution,” said the official.The cattle underpass was planned following demands from local farmers.“Based on the demands, the movement of the cattle was traced and the underpass has been planned accordingly making use of local knowledge on the traditional passageway for the cattle. It is a simple box structure under the road, which allows vehicles to pass overhead and cattle to cross below safely without clashing with the traffic. The underpass will also be useful for farmers to pass through,” said the official.Officials said that there infrastructure specifically for the safety of pedestrians has been constructed in Goa earlier based on demands from locals, but this will be a first to be constructed for cattle.Cattle underpass is a type of agricultural infrastructure, also known as “cow tunnel” and is designed to improve safety for farmers and animals and offer them safe access to fields. They are made to the size of the stock and are known to reduce the rate of deaths or maiming of animals in road accidents.It also allows the traffic overhead to pass at higher speed.The cattle underpass has been necessitated after the expansion of the highways in Agasaim.The underpass is on the lines of wildlife underpasses or overpasses, used for conservation, offering a solution to fragmentation of forests.
