The central government has cleared the Varunapuri-MPT stretch and has increased the hopes of connecting the four lane highway from Verna to Mormugao port in Goa.
Completion of the Varunapuri to the port area has been delayed due to various obstacles. On 30 October 2014, Goa’s Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, to discuss the clearance.
After the discussion, Nitin Gadkari provided in-principle approval to complete the remaining portion of the NH 17-B from Varunapuri to the Sada junction, near the port in Vasco.