TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: After facing flak over the absence of development in Navelim, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday announced developmental works amounting to Rs 150 crore would be executed in the constituency before the election code of conduct comes into force, including work on pumping stations to pump sewage water directly from the water nullah to the sewage treatment plant as part of river Sal clean-up.
The Chief Minister also told the media that series of development works would get going in neighbouring Benaulim constituency from February 16. He said the government would work out a similar package for Velim after discussing developmental issues with Velim MLA Benjamin D’Silva.
Addressing the media after a review meeting with senior officials in the presence of Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado and Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva, the Chief Minister said a number of works would be executed on the ground in Navelim, including underground cabling and pumping stations for pumping of raw sewage water into the STP. “This project would take care of the de-contamination of river Sal. The project will be commissioned within a year”, he said. Later, accompanied by Fisheries Minister, the Chief Minister inspected the once picturesque Salpem lake, which has been devastated by raw sewage discharge from neighbouring Margao. The Fisheries Minister has proposed to beautify the Salpem lake on the lines of Mayem lake.
The Chief Minister disclosed plans to inaugurate the Navelim panchayat ghar on January 26 and also distribute tablets to students of five schools in Benaulim. He issued instructions to Health Director S Dalvi to set in motion the process to set up a health centre at Rumdamol village and also upgrade the Navelim sub centre into a full-fledged PHC. Avertano has offered space in the newly-constructed panchayat ghar to house the upgraded Navelim PHC till the health department gets its own premises.
As far as Benaulim is concerned, the Chief Minister said the government would take up a series of development works in the constituency, including underground cabling work and the entire road passing through the coastal belt. “Underground cabling of low-tension cables will be taken up in phase II in Benaulim”, he said.
The Chief Minister also inspected the office of
the education department, South zone at Margao and issued instructions to utilise the space left behind following the shifting of Salcete BDO office to the new collectorate building. He also directed the officials to dispose of the scrap lying
in the department by complying with a government circular.
