TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The long overdue new Zuari bridge may not materialise in the near future with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways yet to give its final approval on the funding pattern.
While the project initiated by the BJP government was given a green nod three months ago, the project is now stuck for want of the final nod. The government, through the PWD, had submitted a plan to the Centre for funding the construction of the new six lane bridge which it proposed should be funded on 60:40 basis by Centre and State.
Even though the matter was placed before the Centre in October last year, till date Goa has not received any communication. This despite two reminders, says a top official in the Public Works Department.
“We cannot go ahead with any work without the final nod,” said PWD minister Sudin Dhavalikar when contacted by Herald.
It is learnt that officials from Goa were camping in New Delhi earlier this week hoping to seek an appointment with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. However this attempt was also unsuccessful leaving the State PWD ministry vexed over the Centre’s silence.
Officials say that presently all the ground work which had begun on planning for the new bridge has been kept on hold and the State is anxiously waiting the Central Ministry’s response and the handing over of the NH 4 and NH 17 to the State government.
