MARGAO: Strongly criticizing government departments for failing to cooperate with the South Goa District Collectorate, Salcete Deputy Collector Ajit Panchwadkar pinned the blame for delay in pre-monsoon works on the Electricity department, Water Supply department (PWD), BSNL and Goa Sewerage Corporation (GSC).
Asked to respond at the high-level meeting held at Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Arthur D’Silva’s chamber, Panchwadkar said that they had asked all government departments to submit status report of existing works by May 13.
Panchwadkar said that only PWD (roads), police and fire and emergency services were present for the meeting. “The purpose of the meeting was to work on a strategy to complete all pre-monsoon works for which we required data from these departments which would give us the schedule and expected time of completion for all works,” said Panchwadkar.
Panchwadkar blamed this for lack of coordination between departments and demanded that all departments report to the collector immediately regarding status of on-going works.
MMC councillors demanded that they be allowed to carry out trimming of branches and cutting of trees hanging and causing danger to commuters and residential areas. Panchwadkar asked them to form a team to execute this and to inform him of its progress. Panchwadkar cautioned MMC to refer all cases that had objections to him.
JICA has left Margao in tatters
In view of the pathetic conditions of roads in the town, Margao Municipal Council chairperson Arthur D’Silva along with Salcete Deputy Collector Ajit Panchwadkar convened a meeting on Saturday to discuss threadbare all works being carried out by JICA.
Panchwadkar said that 50 per cent of all road works in the municipality’s jurisdiction was done by JICA and went on to add that all digging of roads that had left the town in tatters was done by JICA.
MMC councillors along with D’Silva said that the safety of life and vehicles was at stake with the current state of roads and listed out various accidents that had occurred since the roads were dug.
Councillors warned that if the digging work was not completed and roads not restored to their normal condition, they would take action and hold the deputy collector responsible. D’Silva passed a resolution to keep a JCB and labourers on standby for temporary repair work such as covering potholes with rubble if the contractors cannot complete the work before the monsoon.
JICA officials present at the meeting on Friday were asked to bring all permissions and work orders for the meeting with the deputy collector on Saturday.
Panchwadkar said the government was monitoring the situation and would be communicating to the Goa Sewerage department and JICA contractors to complete work as soon as possible.
