VASCO: Panchayat Minister and Dabolim MLA, Mauvin Godinho, on Monday assured that Vaddem lake’s upgradation and beautification project which was held up due to technical reasons would be completed by December-end.
He was speaking to reporters after holding a joint review meeting to take stock of the project. Officials of Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) officials, Vasco church authorities (owner of Vaddem lake) and other agencies involved in the project attended the meeting.
“The work on Vaddem lake beautification project was stalled as there were certain fresh parameters which had to be decided upon. On one hand, the contractor was not getting the area he had anticipated and so he had to build a wall in the waters. This involved an additional cost of Rs 1 crore and the increased amount had to get a fresh sanction from the government. Following this, the project got delayed. With all the issues being sorted out, the new deadline to complete the project has been pegged at December-end,” Godinho said.
He further said, “I have also cautioned the contractor on certain things like while conducting piling work, they should not tamper with the foundation elsewhere in adjoining areas and hence I have asked the contractor to take up this work minutely.”
On immersion: “Keeping Ganesh Chaturthi in mind, the contractor has been directed to clear a certain area for immersion. A ramp will be made for devotees who attend the immersion procession.
“Regarding contamination of water inside the lake, we have already got the water samples tested and it has been revealed that there is no foul smell. I hope that the waters would also be cleaner before Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations,” he concluded.
