Herald: Goa is under constant digging and people have started talking about the completion of work. When can we expect the completion of major works?
Sudin: I feel we can try our best to complete all works by 2019. If not we will complete them by 2020 at least. But one thing every good thing comes with a side effect. People will have to bear with us for few days.
Herald: Can you please detail the projects sanctioned by the Centre in Goa which are currently underway?
Sudin: The first project is the Khandepar bridge which is of Rs 300 cr besides Dhavali bypass is of Rs 70 cr which he passed. Loutolim missing link of 220 cr has also been passed. The Western bypass of Rs 290 cr, Canacona of bypass Rs 250 cr has been approved in 2014 and tendering process has started and all those works are at completion stage.
Besides all this, the Zuari bridge dream of all Goans has been fulfilled by the Centre granting Rs 3500 cr for project connecting Verna to Cortalim and Agassaim to GMC. Also Centre has agreed to support us for the Mandovi bridge.
The four laning of highway from GMC to Panjim and Panjim to Mapusa and Panjim to Karaswada, Karaswada to Patradevi – four stretches for Rs 1400 cr work — have already been started by MV Rao.
Herald: There is some issue regarding the Western bypass in Salcete?
Sudin: The problem with Western bypass is some people without any reason have been blocking the project. I do not want to speak on the matter much.
Herald: Goa will also get funds under Bharatmala project?
Sudin: I am also happy to say that Bharatmala project is for final approval and we will appoint consultancy service soon. Centre will give us Rs 4500 cr for development of roads and infrastructure once the report is ready.
Herald: Centre has also sanctioned some new highways. Is it true?
Sudin: A new highway from Karaswada to Khandepar, a 63 kilometre road, we have got as a national highway and also Mollem to Khandepar and Ponda to Panjim has been granted.
Project report is worked on and by February first week the report will be sent to Centre and will be taken ahead from there.
Around Rs 12000 cr has already been sanctioned and it will be Rs 25,000 cr by the time of completion and I give full credit to the Union (Highways) Minister Nitin Gadkariji.
Manohar Parrikar becoming the Defence Minister of the country also helped to get the works passed and again today he is the chief minister and we hope Goa will gain much more under his leadership.
Herald: What about the major bus stands?
Sudin: We will get bus port just like air port.
We will have bus ports at Margao and Panjim we are looking forward and it will be a reality in next two years.
