the goan I network
MARGAO
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Tuesday descended in the minority heartland Salcete to launch hot-mixing works at Raia, but he took the opportunity to make a fervent plea to Saxttikars to allow work on the western bypass without stilts, promising that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will come running to the rescue of the people if the bypass results in inundation of the flood plains of River Sal.
What’s interesting to note is that while TCP Minister and member of the Cabinet Advisory Committee Vijai Sardesai is pursuing the bypass proposal on stilts with Nitin Gadkari, the PWD Minister has virtually ruled out construction of the bypass on stilts on the premise that it’s very difficult to change the scope of work after preparation of estimate and tendering of a project.
In fact, Dhavalikar appealed to the Goa Forward leaders as well as the Congress leadership, including Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco to allow work on the construction of the western bypass passing through Benaulim, Seraulim and Navelim, saying the bypass would reduce the travel distance between Nuvem and Dramapur to just five minutes and reduce congestion. “The western bypass should be allowed to be complete within the time-frame. Once estimates are prepared, it’s very difficult to change the scope of work,” he said, saying that once complete, the western bypass would reduce congestion on the Nuvem-Dramapur stretch.
Dhavalikar then went on to say the government will not leave the people in the lurch if they are hit by flooding during monsoons. “The National Highway Authority of India will not leave the people in the lurch. Union Surface Transport Minster Nitin Gadkari will come rushing to Goa if the people face any problem due to flooding,” he said.
The PWD Minister further said that the government is committed to lay sewerage projects in the villages. “The government has taken up sewerage works to the tune of Rs 120 crore in Fatorda. Many parts of Curtorim village, including Raia may also require sewerage network,” he said.
