PONDA: Former PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Saturday alleged a major scam by the BJP government in allotting 95,000 sq mtrs for the construction of Convention Centre at Dona Paula under PPP mode.
Addressing media persons, he said at present the prevailing rate at Dona Paula is more than Rs 50,000 per sq mtr and alleged that this is project estimated to cost Rs 500 crore.
Stating that PPP mode means nothing but a scam in the name of allotting land for development, Dhavalikar said when he was in the then Manohar Parrikar-led government both had opposed the PPP mode.
He said, “Even if the Convention Centre is required it can be constructed in 25,000 sq mtrs. I had opposed allotment of the massive land for the convention Centre with seating capacity of 5,000.”
He termed the coal transportation agitation against at Marcaim as political and informed that when he was River Navigation Minister in 2000 there was an agreement with Government of India and Indian Waterways for waterways project.
He said, “As per this agreement the ownership of rivers rests with the State Government. River dredging was essential as latest report reveals that some areas would submerge in Goa in future. Coal laden barges are big and they cannot travel through the rivers of Goa. At Cumbarjua it is difficult for ferryboat to negotiate as dredging is not carried out.”
He said, “As per agreement, passenger jetties were proposed at Durbhat, Sanvordem, Borim, Aldona, Panjim, Old Goa and Banastarim. Though coal is opposed it is required for power generation. We have no hydro power nor can we generate power using atoms through uranium.”
Dhavalikar demanded a white paper on Goa’s financial condition. He said IIT is possible at GEC, Farmagudi, as already 1.5 lakh sq mtrs of land is available and added that he can make around 8 lakh sq mtrs available in next few years.
