PORVORIM: In a major revelation, the govt stated that due to the objections raised by two former Independent MLAs from Navelim and Benaulim , the work of the proposed bridge between Benaulim and Sinquetim village, approved way back in 2008, was stopped.
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, however, has now assured that the revised estimates will be prepared and that the pending work of the project would be taken up for completion.
The work of the construction of the bridge including approaches in Navelim Constituency was awarded to M/s M. Venkata Rao Infra Projects Pvt.Ltd. in August 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs 9.55 crore with stipulated date of completion being August 19, 2010.
In his reply to the calling attention motion moved by Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, Pauskar said the construction of Benaulim –Sinquetim bridge was in progress and the work had reached upto sub structure level which was approximately around 30 per cent until in March 2012. Then, the former CM (late) Manohar Parrikar visited the project site along with former Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva and former Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado and directed them to keep the work on hold till further directions.
Alemao, expressing complete displeasure about the manner in which the central government-approved project has been stalled for the last ten years, demanded that the bridge be completed immediately.
Pauskar said as both the former MLAs objected to movement of heavy vehicles from the bridge, the consultant was directed to submit revised drawings to allow only two wheelers and accordingly the work had recommenced in January 2014. “However, the then MLAs again asked the contractor to stop the wok in July 2014,” he said. He added that considering this, the consultant submitted the letter that they are not interested in continuing with the work and at present are in arbitration. “Accordingly a fresh estimate is prepared by the consultants M/s. Madhav Kamat and Associates for balance bridge work and the same is accorded Technical sanction and Administrative Approval from the govt,” he said.
