PWD directed to halt work on Bicholim bridge
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MAY 5
The North Goa Collector Mihir Wardhan on Wednesday has directed the Public Works Department officials to halt work on the new Bicholim parallel bridge following reports in the media.
It was reported in the media that the construction of parallel bridge could cause environmental effect in form of flooding as the contractor has carried out mud filling in the river for laying slabs.
Taking cognisance of the same North Goa Collector Mihir Wardhan visited the site today and directed the officials to halt work until further decision is taken.
Speaking to Herald, Wardhan said that he has called for a meeting with PWD, WRD officials as well as the contractor Aditya Constructions.
“I have told the PWD if they cannot finish work before monsoons they should halt work immediately and remove all the mud,” Wardhan said.
He however said he has not taken any final decision as the contractor has said he will finish work by June 7, which is very far and by that time monsoon already arrives in Goa.
However, despite the collector’s orders PWD officials said the contractor will go ahead with the slab work.
“We have decided to go ahead with the slab as stopping work at this juncture will incur a loss of over Rs 2 crore,” a top PWD official told Herald.
“We have already ordered the ready mix concrete machine tomorrow,” he said.
Further, the official added, that the WRD officials have misguided the collector that we will finish work by June 7.
“We have given an assurance that not only slab work but we will completely dismantle the fitting for slab and remove the mud by June 7,” officials said adding “…but some people are misguiding the collector saying that we will complete the slab only by June 7.”
PWD Minister Churchill Alemao when contacted did not comment much on the issue.
“I will take up the issue with the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is out of station,” he said.
When further pressed for his comment, he said, “Whatever is good for the residents of Bicholim will be done by the government.”
