the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that government is functioning and very much in control, PWD Minister, Sudhin Dhavlikar on Tuesday said that works amounting to Rs 361 crore are in the pipeline and will soon be taken up in Bardez.
He also said that there were plans to release 5 MLD additional PWD water to all the seven constituencies in the taluka.
“Works to the tune of Rs 140 crore only for roads and Rs 100 crore for other works will be taken up in the seven constituencies in Bardez. Besides, Rs 121 crore has been sanctioned to upgrade water supply infrastructure in the taluka,” Dhavlikar said.
The PWD minister was addressing the media after inaugurating the overbridge/underpass across NH-17 (now NH-66) at Tar-Bastora junction in the presence of Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo, Mapusa chairperson Ryan Braganza, councilors, Bastora sarpanch Savio Martins and other sarpanchas of surrounding villages and panch members.
Principal Chief Engineer (PWD) Uttam Parsekar, Chief Engineer (NH) Vijaykumar Verenkar and other officials of the PWD were also present.
Dhavlikar said that there was criticism that the government was not functioning,
“The completion of this project is proof that the government is working and is very much in control,” he said.
Giving a breakup of several works to be taken up in in Bardez, he said Rs 19 crore works will be taken up in Aldona, Rs 14 crore in Mapusa, Rs 28 crore in Porvorim, Rs 41 crore in Siolim, Rs 23 crore in Saligao, Rs 31crore in Calangute and Rs 14 crore in Tivim.
He further said that Rs 121 crore has been allocated for improving the infrastructure of water supply in Bardez which was expected to be completed by 2019.
He said once these works were completed there will be surplus supply of water in Bardez.
“It’s our dream to provide 24-hour water supply to the people of Goa. It is difficult but we will try,” he said.
The PWD minister said that the focus of development in Bardez was in three spheres: roads, water supply and sewerage.
He said that hot-mixing of all roads in Mapusa and other constituencies will be taken up from November 15 onwards.
Dhavlikar emphasized that sewerage system in Mapusa should start functioning at the earliest. “I request the Mapusa councilors to go to the people and convince them to take sewerage connections so that the project can be put to use,” he said.
The minister said that work on widening of the national highway from Patradevi to Carrasvaddo was happening at fast pace.
“I appeal to people not to fall in the opposition trap. Government has started the land acquisition process. Please come and speak to the government,” he said.
He said these days there was a general criticism that works were not happening and government was not going to the people and doing work.
“Constructive criticism is always welcome but it’s the negative criticism that gives rise to unnecessary problems,” Dhavlikar said.
He said he did not mind if people send photos of potholes on WhastApp, as these could be forwarded to his engineers who immediately repair them.
