HERALD: What is your concern about the alignment of the Neugi Nagar Bridge?
CHODANKAR: We got a call saying that the alignment of the bridge was faulty. We went to Mala and we found that the bridge is slightly tilted, and the supervisor present on the site was not able to answer our queries. The alignment of this bridge is faulty, so they are breaking the expansion joints. This bridge has also tilted; people say that that the design of the bridge is also faulty and the point where the bridge gets connected to the main road is extremely dangerous and it could turn out to be an accident-prone zone.
HERALD: Will Congress constitute an expert panel to judge the quality of the newly constructed bridge?
CHODANKAR: Congress plans to constitute an expert committee to study the structure of the bridge based on which a note will be sent to the government. The team will have set of technical engineers and experts and again carry out an inspection and after that we will take up the matter before the government.
HERALD: Do you allege that corruption in the bridge cost?
CHODANKAR: Few citizens have brought to our notice that the cost of the construction of this bridge has been revised and over quoted. Nearly all the GSIDC projects have an exaggerated cost, and even this new bridge project has been over-quoted by the contractor. GSIDC is one hot bed of corruption.
HERALD: Would you think that PWD would have done a good job instead of GSIDC and do you also say that this bridge is constructed with substandard materials?
CHODANKAR: Yes definitely the PWD would have done a better job than GSIDC. The GSIDC is hot-bed for corruption as the level of corruption is more at GSIDC as compared to PWD. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should not treat me as his enemy now as I am talking on the behalf of the people of Panjim. The team which will be formed by us will inspect and tell us whether the materials used are of substantial quality or not.
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HERALD: Recently Congress’ Girish Chodankar had said that the Mala-Patto Bridge had an alignment issue as he claims that there was a slight tilt. What are your views on that?
PAWASKAR: I totally rubbish those claims made by the Congress during their inspection. The alignment of bridge is approved in ODP as well as in Town and Country Planning Department. The work is carried out under supervision by maintaining proper quality and the bridge deck slab is constructed by using M45 grade concrete. The bridge is also provided with the central cantilever slab.
HERALD: After the allegations made by the Congress, is GSIDC ready to get the bridge inspected by any other agency?
PAWASKAR: We are fully confident about the work of the new bridge and GSIDC is open to if the Congress wants to get in an agency to inspect the bridge. There is no fault in the bridge as was said by the Congress during their inspection. We are closely monitoring the construction. All the elements gone into making the bridge are of superior quality.
HERALD: The Congress has said that GSIDC projects have an inflated cost and even in this case, the contractor has over quoted for the project?
PAWASKAR: The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has already clarified in this regards that the construction of the bridge across the Rua De Ourem Panjim. The Corporation has stated that the estimated cost of work was Rs. 23,64,70,437.00 and that the work was awarded to Contractor M/s. Larsen and Toubro Ltd for Rs. 24,24,41,097.11 which is below reasonable cost of Rs 26,71,46,122.45.
HERALD: When will the construction for the second phase begin?
PAWASKAR: At present construction activities for Lane 1 is in progress. The laying of the expansion joints as well as work for provision of crash barrier is in progress on the site. After completion of Lane ‘1’ the new water supply line will be laid on the cantilever slab by PWD (PHE). After the new water supply line is laid and connected to the existing line on either side of the creek, the existing water supply line along with the steel bridge crossing the creek will be dismantled. Lane 2 will be constructed after dismantling the existing water supply line, and it’s supporting steel bridge.
