Taking cognizance of the demands made by coalition partners and local residents alike for the construction of the western bypass on stilts, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has told PWD officials to prepare estimates for both the bypass on stilts as well for construction of additional culverts along the flood-prone stretch of the bypass.
Reliable sources in the PWD told The Goan that the Defence Minister took stock of the situation arising out of the demands made by MLAs supporting the BJP government for constructing the bypass on stilts at a review meeting with senior PWD officials sometime back.
Though Parrikar is believed to have not given any commitment for the moment in favour of the bypass on stilts, he has told the PWD officials to prepare estimates for both the bypass on stilts and for additional culverts. Once the estimates are ready, the Defence Minister is reported to have said that he would take up the issue with Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari to explore the possibility of sanctioning additional funds in the event the government goes for constructing the bypass on stilts in the flood-prone areas.
A senior PWD official told The Goan that PWD officials and the bypass contractor have begun the exercise of preparing the estimates for the bypass on stilts and for additional culverts.
"The Defence Minister apparently wants to find out the cost of constructing the bypass on stilts at certain stretches and the cost of constructing additional culverts,” the PWD official added.
