The Indian State of Goa is seeking consultants to determine if an under sea highway tunnel or an elevated bridge is the best alternative for a proposed sea link between the cities of Panaji and Vasco on the State's western shore.

Goa is inviting domestic and international companies with extensive financial and technical experience to conduct feasibility studies on the proposed build, operate, transfer (BOT) project. Bid documents were available to interested companies as of October 1, 2009. Proposals are due November 25 and will be opened on December 10, 2009.

The proposed PPP has an estimated cost of Rs 1000 crore and will cross the Arabian Sea connecting Dona Paula at the southern tip of Panaji city in the north to the city of Vasco to the south.

The scope of work includes structural, environmental, and financial studies; the preparation of bid documents; assistance with the bidding process; and selection of the bidder to culminate in the signing of the concession agreement.

Supporters say the link will cut 35km and save as much as 40 minutes in travel times between the two cities. It will aslo improve traffic flow to the Mormugro Port Trust (MPT) and the Dabolim Airport.

Local officials were inspired by the Bandra-Worli sea bridge in Mumbai and say the Panaji-Vasco link could be build with very low public investment. They also say it can be built without the need for costly land acquisitions.

Bid Document pdf