PANJIM: Back from the USA after three months away, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has made “clearing bottlenecks in infrastructure works” and “resumption of mining activity” in the State his priorities, as the administration moves into high gear.
Addressing media persons after chairing the first cabinet meeting since his return, Parrikar said that during the three months he was absent from the State, he was in touch with the State administration on a regular basis.
“I was in touch with the State for all decision making purposes. Every decision was referred to me through email and I used to approve it personally from the USA. My secretary used to later convey it to the cabinet,” he said.
Stating that he had detailed ideas of what was happening in Goa, the Chief Minister said that overcoming bottlenecks in infrastructure works, thereby speeding it up and working out a solution to the mining crisis, are priorities, amongst others like that of job creation.
“Completion of infrastructure at a fast rate is a priority. Goa is a small State and land availability is an issue. Also environment sensitivity is sometimes on a slightly higher side and which needs to be dealt with. It is an obvious concern and should be and that is what helps in protecting the environment. But sometimes it becomes excessive and that becomes a bottleneck,” Parrikar said.
Soon after returning from USA, Parrikar had chaired meeting of PWD officials taking stock of various infrastructural works in the State.
“The infrastructure bottleneck has to be taken off. There are about 21 projects of National Highway Authority, of which five-six have some major bottlenecks. Some of these bottlenecks are within the department and hence government has to deal with it,” he stated.
Parrikar said the third bridge over River Mandovi will be thrown open for traffic this year. “I want the Zuari bridge also to be completed fast. The current bridge is in bad shape but it is safe,” Parrikar stated.
Speaking on the mining issue, the Chief Minister said it is “complicated” and “the remedy has to be carefully thought of”.
“Though I was in touch with the State and knowing everything that was happening during my absence, I am taking stock of the situation again now so that the issue can be solved. Since, I am here now, I am looking into it,” the Chief Minister said.
“It is a complicated issue which has arisen out of the judgment of the Supreme Court, so remedy has to be carefully thought of,” the Chief Minister said.
Parrikar also said he has started going into the execution of the budgetary ideas, which he could not read out as a part of his Budget speech, while tabling the financial statement in February.
