MARGAO
Saying the government has completed the land acquisition for the new High Level Borim Bridge and has finalised the plan and design of the bridge, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira on Friday said the PWD, National Highway will soon set in motion the process to tender the bridge work after complying with the formalities.
He, however, hastened to add that the government would backtrack on the proposed bridge if the National Green Tribunal (NGT) decides to red flag the project.
When the media sought to know why the government is waiting for the NGT to red flag the bridge when it can take a decision on the issues raised by the Loutolim farmers objecting to the bridge alignment passing through the khazans, Sequeira shot back, “the government is taking forward the project for the simple reason that the existing bridge has turned weak. The government is keen to put in place a new bridge before any disaster.”
The Environment Minister, who represents Nuvem constituency in the Goa Legislative Assembly, told the media at his Friday Darbar that the land acquisition proceedings of the new Borim Bridge stands completed, adding that the design and alignment of the bridge has been finalised. The PWD is complying with the formalities in respect of CRZ. Besides, the PWD has applied for certain permissions before floating the tender,” he said.
He added: “As far as locals are concerned, they have a case before the NGT. Let’s wait and see the outcome. The PWD has been granted time to file a reply. If tomorrow, the NGT rules against the PWD, the government will have no option than to backtrack on the project.”
