THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
In a bid to ensure readiness ahead of the monsoon, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday chaired a coordination meeting with government departments and local elected representatives, directing the timely completion of road restoration works.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Khaunte said the Electricity Department had been specifically instructed to finish underground cabling-related road restoration in Porvorim and other areas by May 20.
“There is underground cabling work taking place in Porvorim along other road-related and sewerage works. The Electricity Department has been asked to complete and restore the roads by May 20. Other departments have also been asked to complete their work at the earliest,” the minister said.
The meeting was attended by officials from fire services, health, police, Water Resources Department, as well as representatives from village panchayats and zilla panchayats, among others. The focus was on streamlining coordination among agencies involved in pre-monsoon preparations.
Khaunte insisted on the need for seamless coordination both before and during the monsoon, to minimise inconvenience to the public. The meeting also discussed drain cleanliness, readiness of engineers during power cuts, water supply issues and intensified police patrolling.
“I have asked the concerned deputy collectors for a follow-up meeting within 10 days to review action taken,” Khaunte said adding, “We need development, but it must go hand-in-hand with sustainability and public convenience. Coordination is key and all departments must take responsibility.”
