the goan I network
MARGAO
The Margao unit of the BJP has demanded a thorough probe into the bad condition of the national highway road passing through the city, even as the leaders complimented Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for issuing instructions to the officials to act in the matter within 48 hours.
Addressing the media, BJP leader Sharmad Raiturkar demanded that the probe should ascertain whether the contractor was erred in building the road as per the laid down specifications or whether PWD engineers had failed to ensure proper quality check.
He also demanded to know whether any of the quality check control agencies had failed in discharging their duties.
He said the CM and PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar have promised to get the damaged roads repaired on top priority.
“The government has to find out whether the contractor was at fault in constructing the road as per specifications. The probe should ascertain why the road condition was so bad when the PWD has a big hierarchy, starting from the executive engineer down to the junior engineers to oversee quality control,” he said.
Expressing solidarity with the vigilant citizens, who have hit the streets to protest against the condition of roads, Sharmad pointed out that they cannot be blamed for coming on the streets.
Citing the case of the road around the Margao Municipal Council square, the BJP leader wondered how it has been washed away in the rains when it was constructed only a few months ago.
BJP leader Sunil Naik said the roads gets washed away if laid down specifications are not followed.
Shadow Council serves ultimatum of 24 hrs on dust pollution
MARGAO: Condemning the careless attitude displayed by the authorities and its failure to address the dust pollution in Margao on account of the bad roads, the Shadow Council of Margao has served a 24-hour ultimatum on the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to relieve the hardships faced by the public.
The SCM has warned that they will be compelled to take to the streets.
SCM Convenor Savio Coutinho stated that initially they were happy that the PWD had deployed workers to collect the loose material of the disintegrated hot-mix carpet owing to the substandard work of the contractor. However it ended up being a one-day show, he said.
He said the loose material is not only causing dust pollution but is a great risk for two-wheeler riders.
“The SCM has learnt that the PWD has not taken any action whatsoever against the contractor for the substandard work which has resulted in huge losses to the public exchequer and unimaginable hardships to the general public,” Coutinho alleged.
