PANJIM: The construction of a modern fire station at Bicholim, whose foundation stone was laid at the hands of the then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar on January 16, 2019, is yet to be completed.
Replying to a starred question tabled by Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that only 12 per cent of the work is completed as on date. The estimated cost of the work was Rs 11,27,90,204.
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The Chief Minister said that the actual date of issue of work order to The 21st Century Builders and Engineers, Haryana, was July 31, 2019. The date of commencement and completion as per the work order issued to the contractor was August 10, 2019 and February 9, 2021 respectively.
But the work was delayed due to various reasons such as Covid-19 pandemic, shortage of manpower, delay in procurement of material and mobilisation of machinery on site by the contractor etc. Due to slow progress of work, the work contract was terminated and balance works was tendered and awarded to S K Constructions, Manipur, the Chief Minister told Dr Shetye.
Sawant further said that date of commencement and completion of the balance works awarded to S K Constructions was May 8, 2023 and October 7, 2024 respectively. Balance works awarded to S K Constructions was carried out as per the terms and conditions of work order, he said.
Sawant further informer Dr Shetye that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) had issued show cause notices to the defaulting contractor and the contract was terminated and the contractor was blacklisted for a period of one year from quoting for future GSIDC works. The balance work was re-tendered at the risk and cost of the defaulting contractor, he said adding that the work will now be completed by October 7 this year.
