Oppn alleges a political link behind the soaring project costs following Margao MLA's defection
Congress workers protest at Rawanfond over the escalation of the cost of the Rawanfond bridge.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
The Margao Congress Block on Monday held a protest at the construction site of the Rawanfond road overbridge and demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is the Chairman of GSIDC, and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, regarding how the cost of the bridge has gone up from Rs 21.32 crores in 2021 to Rs 54.13 crores in 2022 after Kamat defected to the BJP.
Holding a banner with both the tender notices printed on it, which read "This can only be a miracle of God," the Congress leaders and workers questioned the CM whether it was a gift for defection.
Congress leader and former Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho came down heavily on the consultant appointed for the work, who came up with two different estimates for the same bridge. He charged that politicians and the consultant had connived to escalate the bridge cost. Armed with RTI information obtained from the GSIDC, he revealed that the consultant, up to May 2024, had already been paid Rs 67.46 lakhs, which is more than 55 per cent of the fees payable. He, however, claimed that not even 10 per cent of the work is completed.
South Goa Congress District President Savio D'silva complimented the Congress team, comprising Savio Coutinho and others, for bringing out the facts before the people. Matin Abdulcarol charged that, apart from the fraudulent escalation of costs, the work being executed is of substandard nature. Congress leader Moreno Rebello charged that the government is not only involved in massive corruption but is now found helping the accused escape from prison.
“Just as our freedom fighters fought for freedom from the Portuguese, it is time now to bring about freedom from the corrupt BJP government,” he added.
