Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday admitted on the floor of the House that there could be some “flaws” in the technology adopted for construction of Atal Setu over River Mandovi while assuring to repair it at the cost of contractor under the “defect liability period”.
“The consultant had proposed modernised technology…there could be some flaws…we have directed the contractor to re-tar the entire road at its own cost …the project is not yet complete,” Sawant said in response to the calling attention motion.
He also informed that IIT Chennai has submitted a preliminary report on the defects in the cable-stayed bridge and government is working on their recommendations.
He said that the contractor (L&T) are repairing the bridge without any cost under the defect liability period. The total expenditure incurred as on July 6 is Rs 596 crore. The estimated cost of project was Rs355 crore while the sanctioned cost was Rs793.91 crore.
The Opposition grilled the government over sub-standard work undertaken for Atal Setu. They questioned the feasibility of the bridge and whether it is safe for commuters.
They pointed out that the bridge has encountered potholes, which is a common phenomenon now and has turned into accident prone zone.
Moving the calling attention, Congress AldonaMLA Carlos Ferreira said that sub-standard work is been carried out of NH66 especially at Bambolim, Atal Setu, Guirim, which are turning into danger zones.
Congress NuvemMLA AlexioSequeira questioned the compatibility of the consultant appointed for Atal Setu project.
He charged that the consultant was a fraud and penal action should be taken against him.
He was supported by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo. Later speaking, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said,“Weathervariations could be the factors that hamper proper bonding with the bitumen.”
He said,“Along with the State officials, Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways is also monitoring work of the bridge and NH66.”
“Work of four-laning between Karaswada and Bambolim is yet to be completed, and the work is governed by the Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract and has a defect liability period (DLP)of four years, during which the contractor is obliged to maintain in the assets created by him in safe, working conditions,” he added.
