ALLAN D’CRUZ
With limited funds at its disposal, the State government appears to have adopted a “mix and patch” approach to the hot-mixing of roads in the constituencies of Cortalim and Dabolim.
While some roads have been tarred, others have been left out and in some cases fairly good roads got a coat of tar in the process. Sources said that road contractors are now reluctant to take on new projects due to pending payments, but elected representatives are hopeful that the necessary road works will be completed before June.
In Cortalim constituency, the entire stretch from Arossim to Upasnagar had been asphalted even though the road was in relatively good motorable condition. On the other hand, the Cansaulim-Verna bypass road is in a bad shape and cries for attention.
“It is very difficult to ride along the Verna-Cansaulim bypass as the road is totally worn out and so damages our vehicles. The road has been testing our patience as we have to constantly negotiate the rough patches and potholes,” said a commuter Rahul Sharma.
When contacted, Ashley Fernandes, personal assistant to Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, said the work to tar the Cansaulim-Verna bypass road has been tendered under the Central Road Fund. “It is awaiting expenditure approval. Hopefully, the work will start in a month’s time. The land acquisition process has been completed,” said Fernandes.
In the case of Dabolim constituency, a number of internal roads are yet to be tarred and locals are already beginning to lose patience.
When some residents of Dabolim confronted the authorities concerned, they were informed that road works were pending as the contractors were not paid their dues for the earlier works and so were now reluctant to take up new projects.
When contacted, Chicalim Panch Anacleto D’Souza said the road development work is the responsibility of the PWD. “Tarring and hot mixing of the roads is the task of the PWD and the panchayat can only undertake minor works on the roads,” he said.
Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho assured that all roads in the constituency would be restored to their original condition.
“Estimates have been made on those roads not tarred as yet and work will commence on them. The work orders are pending, as the government is faced with financial problems,” he said.
“Previous road contractors have not been paid and as a result, fresh tenders are not accepted. No one (contractor) has come forward since no one is being paid or else, each and every road would have been tarred by now,” Godinho said.
“However, I assure you that all the roads will be completed before the monsoon,” Godinho said.
When contacted, PWD Roads Division Assistant Engineer Ibrahim told Herald that the PWD has floated most tenders for the road works.
“The orders have already been taken by the contractors. However, the Verna-Cansaulim bypass and certain roads in Dabolim are under process and are yet to be tendered,” added Ibrahim.
