THE GOAN NETWORK
PORVORIM: Former minister and Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar has complained that projects in his constituency have either been cancelled or kept pending by the State government.
Speaking to reporters at Saligao after inaugurating the Chaturthi Bazaar organised by Saligao panchayat, Salgaonkar even alleged that electricity staff had been asked to ignore his calls.
He was now warned that people may be forced to launch an agitation if the government continues to neglect development in his constituency.
“I have learnt through reliable sources that electricity linesmen and junior engineers in Saligao has been issued instructions by their superiors to keep my mobile number in the block list, to avoid my calls,” complained Salgaonkar.
Citing instances to claim that development works in his constituency had received a setback, Salgoankar said the government had approved and tendered the setting up of a 220/33KV substation at Saligao and erection of towers from Colvale to Saligao to bring power from the Colvale power grid.
“It was decided to hand over this work order to the Siemens company. But till date, the work order has not been issued by the government to the Siemens company.”
“Residents of Saligao constituency face frequent power disruptions at least 12-13 times a day, which is why this project had been proposed by the electricity department.”
“Saligao presently gets power supply via Tivim, Nachinola and Mapusa Power substations. If there is problem in any one of these power substations, Saligao does not get power. Hence, it was decided to get power directly from the Colvale power grid,” said Salgaonkar.
“Similarly, one more project of laying an underground electricity cable and replacement of old transformers and conductors at Saligao, which had been approved, has not been tendered as yet,” Salgaonkar added.
The Saligao MLA also complained that a major road project had also been cancelled by the State government.
“The Circuit Road project, which included the repair and hotmixing of roads from Malim to Candolim and Porvorim to Calangute Church, which was approved by former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar, has been cancelled by the new government.”
“Late Parrikar has designed this Circuit Road project as most tourists travel to Candolim and calangute beaches through these roads,” said Salgaonkar.
“All these projects were proposed to upgrade infrastructure in Saligao and provide better living conditions to residents of Saligao constituency and I have no personal interest in these projects.”
“If the present government neglect development in my constituency, people will be forced to launch an agitation,” warned the MLA.
