Goan social activists are petitioning Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to consider rerouting a section of the highway to save a sacred banyan tree and the historic Khapreshwar Temple, both threatened by highway expansion near Dhargal. They argue that this modification is essential to preserve local cultural and religious sites, highlighting that the banyan tree is revered by Hindu women who worship for their husbands’ longevity. Activists also raise concerns about unsafe road diversions in Bambolim, which have led to numerous accidents due to poor planning and construction choices​.