the goan I network
MAPUSA
The fate of the new bus stand for Mapusa hangs in balance as the government has failed to honour its commitment to lay the foundation stone for the project on October 4, the birth anniversary of former Mapusa MLA late Francis D’Souza.
However, Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza informed that the State government has granted administrative approval for the new bus stand project and an amount of Rs 3.01 crore has been sanctioned as construction fees. “It’s almost done.
The process got delayed due to some unforeseen circumstances. We have not fixed a new date. Now that we have missed October 4, we will have to fix another date,” D’Souza, who is the vice chairman of GSIDC, told The Goan.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho had assured the State legislative assembly in the monsoon
session that foundation stone for the much awaited bus stand would be laid on October 4, the birth anniversary of the former Mapusa MLA late Francis D’Souza. The minister had said the bus stand project was estimated to cost Rs 210 crore and would be taken up through a public private partnership model. He had also said that the project will be completed within three years.
D’Souza said his first priority was to take up work on the new bus-stand and simultaneously pursue construction of new tar bridge across the Mapusa river. “We have to look at things realistically. The new bus stand plan is at the final stage where it is possible to kick-start work. Second thing that is possible is the construction of tar bridge,” D’Souza said.
He said designs and estimates for the tar bridge were ready and it was due
for tender.
“The bridge will be built through central funds. I have asked the officials to move the file to GSIDC so that the work could be executed on priority basis,” he said.
He also disclosed that hot-mixing work of three major roads in the city will be taken up in the last week of the month.
“The three roads “ the main arterial State highway road from Gandhi Chowk to the Carrasvaddo junction, court junction right up to Vrundavan Hospital and Carrasvaddo petrol pump to Sodiem panchayat covering the Cunchelim road “ are previously tendered works which can be executed as soon as the hot mix plant becomes operational,” D’Souza said.
