Two contrasting statements on the proposed cost of the upcoming bridge across Zuari River have come from two different ministers - one Central and another from the State, in the last two days. The question that looms large on the minds of the Goans is what's the actual cost of the bridge?
the goan I network
PANAJI
On July 18, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya had informed that the total cost of construction of Zuari Bridge amounted to Rs 936.4 crore.
Incidentally, a day later, on July 19, replying to a question tabled in Goa's assembly, PWD Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin' Dhavalikar informed that the total cost of the six-lane Zuari Bridge as per tendered amount stands at Rs 1,403.1 crore.
Between the two quoted costs of the same Zuari Bridge, there is a massive difference of Rs 466.7 crore.
Both the ministers gave different status of completion of Zuari Bridge as well. While Dhavalikar in Goa assembly said that 2% of work of bridge was complete, Mandaviya in Rajya Sabha said that status of construction for the bridge is 1%.
Dhavalikar also replied that funds for construction of Zuari Bridge have been received from the central government.
In his reply, Dhavalikar further stated that, "All the sanctioned fund remains with Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Government of India and bills paid from time to time by Regional Officer. Funds are never transferred to State Government."
Mandaviya had also replied in the Rajya Sabha that target completion date for Zuari Bridge was November
23, 2019.
According to Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya total cost of construction for Zuari River Bridge is
Rs 936.4 crore
Incidentally, Goa's PWD Minister ‘Sudin' Dhavalikar says the total cost of six lane Zuari Bridge as per tendered amount stands at Rs 1,403.1 crore
Between the two quoted costs of the same bridge across River Zuari, there seems to be a massive difference of Rs 466.7 crore
