Team Herald
MARGAO: In a massive escalation of the public project, that has raised eyebrows, the construction of road overbridge at Rawanafond has increased from Rs 21.32 crore in to Rs 54.13 crore within two years.
Opposition parties and citizens activists strongly launched a scathing attack on the government, questioning the cost escalation and dubbing it as a ‘scandal’.
Citizens of Margao, along with the Margao Congress Block, organised a protest at the construction site of the Rawanfond road overbridge on Monday, demanding an explanation from the government regarding the sudden rise in the cost of the bridge.
The initial cost of the bridge, quoted at Rs 21.32 crore in 2021, has now reportedly escalated to Rs 54.13 crore in 2022- a hike that has raised concerns among the locals.
During the protest, participants held a banner displaying both tender notices, with the phrase “This can only be a miracle of God” printed on it.
The demonstrators questioned the Chief Minister, asking whether this price hike could be linked to political defections.
The protest, led by Congress leader Savio Coutinho, saw the active participation of South District President Savio D’Silva, Youth Congress Working President Mahesh Nadar, PCC General Secretary Moreno Rebello, Advocate Snehal Onskar, Dr Roslyn Pereira, Radha Kavlekar, and others.
Coutinho, who is also the former Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council, strongly criticized the consultant appointed for the project, as he pointed out the discrepancies in the cost estimates, noting that two vastly different figures were presented for the same bridge.
He accused both politicians and the consultant of conspiring to escalate the costs.
According to information obtained through an RTI from the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), the consultant has already been paid Rs 67.46 lakh as of May 2024, which constitutes more than 55% of the total fees payable, despite less than 10% of the work being completed.
Coutinho said “That, given the slow progress of the work, there is every likelihood that the cost of the bridge could soar to Rs 100 crore by its completion.”
He also highlighted that the work order issued to the contractor set a completion date of December 22, 2024, but questioned when the project would actually be completed if such slow progress continued.
District President Savio D'Silva praised Savio Coutinho and the Margao Congress team for exposing the issue and bringing the facts to light, particularly targeting the alleged role of a local ‘Godman’ in the situation.
Mathin Karol criticized the substandard quality of the work being executed, while Moreno Rebello said that the steep hike raises serious concerns regarding management of public funds. “Without any justification, it points to a lack of proper planning, accountability and transparency,” he said and accused the government of being complicit in massive corruption.
The protest has sparked a wider debate on the transparency of public projects and the need for accountability in the execution of government contracts.