the goan I network
VASCO
Claiming that development works was his top priority, Urban Development Minister Milind Naik on Saturday said while the entire budget of the department was earlier around Rs 70 crore, he had already proposed works worth over Rs 200 crore as minister in the last three months.
He was speaking to reporters along the sidelines of a function to launch works of a retaining wall at the Jetty in Ward 5 in the presence of local councillor Sarika Palkar.
“The urban development ministry holds me responsible for development works across all municipal jurisdictions in Goa and it is not confined to Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC). Several development works have been initiated all over Goa and files have moved. Wherever possible, we will carry out development across Goa.”
“The entire budget of my department was earlier around Rs 70 crore, but I have already put up proposals for development works worth over Rs 200 crore as of now and we will place a budget of Rs 200 crore for development in municipal areas for the next year,” said Naik. The minister said in Vasco itself, he had cleared around 20 files of works estimated at Rs 70 lakh in each ward. “While some works may remain pending because of the election code, we will surely see more development works taking place,” assured Naik. “Works on long-pending demands like the Vasco fish market, Baina powerhouse project, chief officer’s bungalow, MMC building renovation works and multi-level car parking in MMC garage will begin soon. Development in Vasco is a must and my sole motto is to see several development works across Goa,” he added.
Naik stated that at a location like the Jetty, retaining walls were the need of the hour.
“While around 12 retaining walls have already been built, works on nine more retaining walls will be taken up in the area. The area between Sada Junction and El Monte Theatre needs such retaining walls.”
“We could have gone for more retaining walls, but engineers have pointed out that the walls are not feasible in certain areas and hence we have taken as many retaining walls as we can in this area,” said the minister.
