PANJIM: PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral on Friday said that the government will strictly follow the recommendations made by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) Committee regarding construction of the balance stretch of National Highway Western Bypass road.
Referring to the ongoing demand by the villagers of Benaulim and Seraulim to construct the Western Bypass on stilts, Cabral said that following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, the government had constituted a 10-member GCZMA Committee to study objections raised by the villagers with regards to construction of the balance stretch of the Western Bypass road.
“We have accepted the 10-Member GCZMA Committee report. We are strictly going by the NGT directives. The GCZMA committee has given its recommendations after taking everybody into account,” he said, adding that the PWD has accepted the scientifically calculated report prepared by the GCZMA’s 10-Member Committee.
Cabral said that the 10-Member GCZMA Committee comprised eminent persons from Goa State Biodiversity Board, Goa State Wetland Authority, architects and engineers and others and has submitted its report giving reasons and specifications for the construction of the balance stretch of the Western Bypass. The committee even told the PWD to replace bigger pipes with smaller pipes.
Cabral said that his priorities are to provide better roads and water to the people. He said that the government is trying its best to provide water 24×7 to the people within the next five years while, the main focus is to provide water for four to five hours daily. He also advised people to store water. He said that he will also start online mechanism for consumers to file their complaints regarding water shortage and bad condition of roads.
Stating that various procedures in the working of the PWD would be simplified, the Minister said that he is trying to make engineers accountable for maintenance of government buildings.
“I want all the government buildings to be maintained by the PWD junior engineers and assistant engineers. Whenever any government building is found to be weak or deteriorating it will be the responsibility of PWD engineers to maintain them rather than indulging in blame game and by doing away the lengthy process of preparing estimates, seeking administrative approval, tendering and expenditure sanction.
Cabral said that for this he would seek the Chief Minister’s approval and if the latter approves it then the PWD will take up the task of maintaining all government buildings in the State.
