Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of his ten-day visit to the United States for a health check-up, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday held an extensive meeting to review the infrastructural projects in the State including the National Highway expansion.
Chairing a high-level meeting of the officials of Public Works Department (PWD), Parrikar reviewed projects such as the third Mandovi Bridge, second bridge over River Zuari, Bambolim to Patradevi national highway expansion, missing link, Khandepar Bridge and Talpona-Galgibaga Bridge.
PWD Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar has been ailing for the last couple of days.
“Chief Minister has stressed the need for timely completion of the projects,” Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
Parrikar also visited the site to inspect the ongoing construction work of the third bridge over River Mandovi, which is expected to be completed by December-end, this year. As per the information placed before State Assembly, last week, 87 percent work of the bridge is completed.
“Chief Minister visited the site. He interacted with the contractor and directed him to ensure that the works of the bridge and approach roads are completed by mid-December,” sources said.
Directions were also issued to the PWD officials to oversee the work of Zuari Bridge and ensure that the bridge is ready by end of 2019 or early 2020.
Meanwhile, Parrikar will be leaving for Delhi on August 7, from where he would fly to US on August 9 for his health review pertaining to pancreatic aliment. He is expected to return Goa on August 18-19.
Chief Minister had undergone medical treatment in US-based hospital from March to June.
Source revealed that in absence of Chief Minister, Chief Secretary IAS Dharmendra Sharma will handle the administrative matters.
Post Parrikar’s return, State may witness some political development, wherein two ailing ministers namely Pandurang Madkaikar and Francis D’Souza may be dropped.
