PANAJI
PWD Minister Deepak Prabhu Pauskar on Thursday said highway expansion projects would be completed by December and most issues faced by public regarding bad roads would then be resolved.
The minister, however, claimed that the condition of roads in the State was much better as compared with other states in the country.
He was responding to queries from reporters on the bad roads, accidents and traffic problems faced by motorists along the highway under construction. “By December, the highway expansion works will be completed. Until then, transport is being diverted via temporary roads which are in bad condition due to the rains. After the monsoons, roads will be hotmixed and the issue of potholes will be resolved. Once the road works are completed, motorists and commuters will not face problems,” said Pauskar.
“There are only issues with the highways and roads in municipal areas. Other roads are in good condition. In fact, we have better roads as compared to roads in other States.”
The PWD minister also claimed there are no structural issues with the newly constructed third Mandovi bridge. “The bridge has a guarantee for 100 years and only the hotmix is damaged on the bridge. The bridge has been closed for some time just to repair the potholes and remaining work which has to be completed,” said Pauskar.
He said there is no financial liability on the government to repair the bridge as the State has a 5-year maintenance contract with the construction company. “The bridge repair work will be completed within 70-100 days and after that, the bridge will be open to the public,” said Pauskar.
He also informed that the inspection of the Old Patto Bridge has been completed and said the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation monitoring the activity.
