Ego between PWD & GSIDC is messing up things
I am of the opinion that GSIDC should only focus on major infrastructure jobs and not get into development of roads, footpaths Rohan Khaunte,
Independent MLA
Herald: Has involvement of the two agencies — PWD and GSIDC — led to a major mess? Who should be held accountable?
Rohan: PWD is the department responsible for carrying out all types of jobs like roads, issues related to water supply and construction of Govt. buildings. GSIDC was a special vehicle formed to take major infrastructure projects ahead at a faster pace. In recent past, GSIDC has started doing the same as to what PWD is doing at a cost which is almost five times. This has resulted in a mess and as such the common man is suffering due to the ego between the two departments like discussing on whose job it is and who has to do it. I feel GSIDC should be held accountable as they are taking up jobs wherein the dependency is on consultants. They don’t have maintenance staff and monitoring of the works taken up by the contractors is not satisfactory. There is no coordination with other departments like PWD or traffic while carrying out the job of the construction of the Mandovi Bridge. This unplanned work has resulted in deterioration of the service road which is presently under repairs.
Herald: Are GSIDC and PWD involved in in-fighting at the cost of lives of people?
Rohan: I am of the opinion that GSIDC should only focus on major infrastructure jobs and not get into development of roads, footpaths, etc. If this is in the scope of PWD and they have the expertise, then PWD has to be given these jobs. There has to be coordination between GSIDC and PWD to examine the jobs taken up by GSIDC so as to improve the coordination and end the in-fight and ego problems. It would also end the resultant mess. The service road, the involvement of GSIDC and PWD and the CHOGM road has the involvement of GTDC, GSIDC & PWD. The unsatisfactory work on the CHOGM road is mainly due to the improper planning by the consultant of the Tourism Dept. wherein the footpaths constructed have no channels to connect to the drains which is leading to heavy water logging in the area. On conducting a joint meeting with GTDC, GSIDC & PWD, I understand that this issue of correcting the unsatisfactory work which is actually causing disaster in the whole residential area will be taken up during the GTDC board meeting and decided accordingly. This will cause a chaotic situation on the CHOGM road if action is not taken immediately.
Secondly, the work of channelizing traffic and immediate repairs of the service road is a priority, keeping in mind the traffic moving from North Goa to the Capital city which is presently taking a lot of time to cross the bridge. If the issue is not resolved immediately, it will lead to a very chaotic situation post November 2016 which is the peak tourist season.
Herald: Any addition you would like to make?
Rohan: I would like to say that there is some level of incompetence or a laid back attitude at the executive level which is leading to failure of the department. As a result, decisions are not being taken, files related to road and infrastructure works are not moving or are inching ahead at a snail’s pace and ground realities are unknown to these people. All these lead to improper planning resulting in bad work from PWD. Young engineers need to be groomed as PWD has lot of competent staff but motivation levels seem to be low as most of the executive engineers concerned seem to be doing government duty only for their monthly salary and are rarely being seen at joint meetings, inspections etc. This dereliction of duty should not be tolerated. GSIDC has to also start completing projects which are left incomplete. New projects are being taken while old ones are being kept on hold. Also politicising of projects will have an impact in the days to come. End of the day, the projects which are initiated by the departments are for inclusive growth of respective constituencies and as per requirement of the area and hence they need to be completed within the stipulated timeframe to produce the maximum output.
Herald: Taking note of pathetic road conditions at Porvorim, do you feel the government authorities have failed to take cognizance of the potholed and uneven road conditions across the State?
Rohan: Talking of Porvorim, the sewerage work has been carried out on internal roads and the repairs and due corrections will be done post monsoon. Regarding highways, the condition of the service road is worsening by the day due to bad level work conducted by the contractor under GSIDC. Although the hot mixing of the Service road has been tendered by GSIDC last November, the roads were not hot mixed. It was also conveyed to GSIDC that the cross drains, water channels need to be opened up which have been closed due to the work on Mandovi Bridge. No decision, neither any action, nor any pre-monsoon work by GSIDC on the contractors were carried on this stretch resulting in the deterioration of the road which is the main connectivity not only for people of Porvorim but the whole of North Goa with the capital city and to South Goa. Regarding the pot holes and uneven conditions across the state, the government definitely needs to take cognizance as even after the road is worn out, the PWD has failed to get the pre-monsoon work like potholing cleared which is resulting in accidents. Most thoroughfares across the state are non-motorable. Certain roads have come under GSIDC which are awaiting completion.
Herald: PWD claims to have been spending crores of rupees annually on the maintenance and construction of roads. But does the ground reality say so?
Rohan: This question needs to be answered by PWD. If crores of rupees are being spent on maintenance, I have my doubts because in the recent past, the clearing of files are delayed because of financial constraints of the government leading to the present mess. I would say that the government plan projects need to be given priority. The projects may be small in nature but are important for the concerned area. The present government’s focus is only on big ticket projects which may be a requirement but not by neglecting the apparently “small” projects which means a lot to the people of the particular area. Hence, the government must come clean on its financial status and not treat the projects as small or “not big”, as each project has its own importance and requirement as per constituency.
Let’s clear the misconception. GSIDC & PWD are arms of the govt
GSIDC makes people’s dreams come true. Gives them shape, creates iconic structures. Calvim Bridge designed by a Goan consultant has recently won a prestigious award Siddharth Kunkolienkar, vice-chairman GSIDC
Herald: There are allegations that GSIDC has started getting into jobs parallel to PWD. How far is this true?
Siddharth: GSIDC executes projects assigned to it by the government, including PWD. The work is properly executed and done as per requirement of each project. To me, what matters is that work should be done efficiently and in a proper manner. Let me add here that PWD, at times, have approached GSIDC for certain specific jobs. For example commercial tax office at Altinho. The common man wants quality work — it is only some misguided individuals who are making this an issue of PWD and GSIDC. We are both arms of the government and functioning in coordination.
Herald: Is it true that GSIDC spends five times the amount that PWD would have otherwise spent on the same work? Are GSIDC works too expensive for government?
Siddharth: This is a figment of someone’s imagination. GSIDC believes in quality work, value for money. We don’t just create structures, we make the people’s dreams come true. Give them shape, create iconic structures. Calvim Bridge designed by a Goan consultant Madhav Kamat & Associates has recently won a prestigious award. This itself shows the quality of work and that we are here for the common man.
Herald: Can GSIDC be held accountable for incompetent work? Does GSIDC lack experts?
Siddharth: GSIDC has a strong team of very efficient, educated, individuals at all levels — engineers, project management, electrical engineers, designers, architects. We are a team that works to our best. There is no scope for sub-standard work; such works are not accepted. We are bound to deliver quality projects. GSIDC adapts the latest technology and methods for our projects.
Herald: Does it mean that GSIDC is being unnecessarily targeted by oppositions? Do you feel that GSIDC is more time-bound and provides better quality work than PWD?
Siddharth: These are baseless allegations of individuals. Some people who want to create nuisance are speaking in this manner. The common Goan who uses our facilities is very happy; it does not matter whether the project is done by PWD or GSIDC. It is the government’s work , which is being carried out. At GSIDC, we always strive to give value for money to the common man.
