Team Herald
PONDA: PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on Wednesday said that due to shortage of asphalt, the hot-mix carpeting of most of the roads in Goa is pending.
However, he assured that all the roads in Goa would be hot-mixed after rainy season by importing asphalt.
Pauskar was speaking after inauguration of a two-lane bridge at Undir connecting Kharwade in Bandora Panchayat and Caranjalem in Marcaim Panchayat. The bridge and its approach roads were built at a cost of around Rs 9 crore. This road has reduced the distance between Marcaim and Bandora by almost by 5 kilometer.
Asserting that his department is serious about water shortage in Goa, the minister said that PWD has noticed that there is 30 percent leakage in water supply. “Therefore, the PWD will conduct an inquiry and initiate action against those indulging in water theft,” he said.
To overcome water shortage in summer and to meet water requirement of Goa, he said PWD in cooperation with WRD would desilt rivers and constructed more bandaras. “The government is committed to providing at least 15-hour water per day,” he said.
On the mining issue, the minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not in favour of offering mining concessions to previous leaseholder. “Modi wants the people of Goa to benefit from restart of mining,” he said.
Former PWD minister Sudin Dhavslikar said that the Undir bridge work was delayed as some people approached the court and pollution control board.
He alleged that interference in development works cause loss to land owners. “In many cases, the land owners could not get compensation despite their land being acquired by government due to controversy created by anti-social elements,” he said.
He informed that since the Undir bridge retaining wall developed cracks, he stopped payment to the contractor.
