TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Power Minister Milind Naik today inspected the site where the ZIOTL petroleum pipe line was observed uncovered at Baina beach. This pipeline carries liquid petroleum products from the Port to the ZIOTL tanks at Zuarinagar.
Rajat Bhaskar, Terminal Manager, ZIOTL told the Minister that sand erosion, driven by sustained inclement rain and onslaught of strong sea waves led to the washing away of the sand cover and assured him that there was a concrete base supporting the 50 cm dia pipeline, at the bottom, provided in the sand for the purpose of stability of the pipeline. The minister asked him to take urgent measures to cover the pipeline in such a way that it is not exposed to accidental rupture anytime, in the interest of public safety and industrial health and meanwhile not to pump any petroleum product through the pipeline.
The minister also spoke to the Collector of South Goa N D Agrawal telephonically, on the subject who assured the minister that precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any mishap. He also told him that the ZIOTL, on government instructions, has posted guards round the clock to keep a watch on the exposed length of the petroleum pipeline.
The minister also took stock of the action being taken for the proposed beautification of the Baina beach, Vasco, as Milind Ramani, MD, of Effective Architectural Services Limited, the consultants, explained to the minister details and status of the proposed beautification.
The minister said that when the project is implemented the whole area is poised to transform into a people friendly, eco friendly set-up, complete with modern conveniences, including landscaping, children’s play area, ramps, seating benches, canteen block and parking space, with a focus on cleanliness and proper illumination.
The minister also visited the nearby Ravindra Bhavan at Baina, Vasco, construction work of which is nearing completion. The minister, while taking stock of the on going work issued instructions to expedite the final touches with an emphasis on quality even as he felt that provision for parking space should have been better.
The minister then visited Varunapuri to take stock of the work of the last segment of the four lane road from Varunapuri junction to Mormugao Port, when the representatives of M/s S N Bhobe & Associates Pvt Ltd, who are the consultants for the work being undertaken by GSIDC, were present. These officials explained to the minister the status of the project. The minister gave instructions to all concerned to speed up the work aimed at early completion, as he said the new road will help ease traffic pressure on other roads in Vasco and Mormugao, as also help trade and commerce and provide better connectivity.
Citizens and BJP workers of Bogda, Headland and Baina, Vasco were present.
