PANAJI
AAP vice president, Valmiki Naik said, “BJP is following the Congress legacy by using the oldest trick in the book to siphon off public funds - corruption in road contracts. Pothole-ridden roads in the State is proving former Governor Satypal Malik’s statement right every day.”
In a press note, Naik stated, “BJP leaders are coming to Goa and making grand announcements of new road works worth crores of rupees. Recently, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made announcement of new road projects worth Rs 1,250 crore for the State.”
“He also said, that the annual Budget for development works to be carried out by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in Goa has been increased from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore. But what about substandard quality of roads already built?” questioned Naik.
Naik further stated, “At the State level, PWD Minister Pauskar came up with more excuse for not completing road repairs by November 1 as promised by the Chief Minister. Pauskar’s claim that MVR was warned by Gadkari for its substandard work is nothing but lip service. Is this how government contracts function, by responding to substandard work with verbal warnings? Pauskar should show the action taken by Goa government in writing, if any, otherwise it will just be an attempt to sweep BJP corruption under the carpet.”
Year after year, citizens have raised concerns over road engineering in the State. According to MoRTH report, the nature of roads is the cause of nearly a third of the accidents that occur in Goa. Goa figures 5th on accident deaths rate at all India level, adds AAP in the press note.
