MARGAO: Reacting to the criticism of the poor conditions of the roads, Public Works Department Minister Nilesh Cabral has announced that an inquiry will be conducted and action will be taken accordingly against errant contractors.
“The PWD as our report states has come under heavy criticism from the people with regard to potholes and bad conditions of the roads in several parts of the State. The concerned contractors will be held responsible for the bad roads in the State and accordingly action will be taken against them at the right time”, said Cabral.
Speaking to Herald at Margao, Cabral said that the early arrival of the monsoon has hampered all the planned activities but added “engineers must check roads for potholes and not wait for the public to complain.”
However, one needs to consider that the pothole-filled Atal Setu and some other constructions are done by GSIDC and Cabral has no sway over those contractors. The works pertaining to Atal Setu Bridge are looked upon by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and not by PWD. However, he admitted that there are some potholes on the Zuari Bridge and they will be removed very soon.
“Once the commencement of the new bridge is done, we will take up the complete repair works of the present bridge. However, the bridge is stable and there is no issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the issue of rampant digging of roads for sewage connections, the PWD minister said, “Roads dug without PWD permission for sewage connections will be restored immediately. I am personally monitoring the laying of the sewage network system and will complete it in all aspects by end of the year. However, people have to compulsorily opt for the sewage connection wherever the sewage network is completed or we will disconnect the water connection”.
