MAPUSA
In a startling revelation, the Siolim-Marna road widening project has sparked controversy due to alleged bypassing of standard operating procedures adopted by the Public Works Department (PWD).
Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the initiation and execution of the project.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the project was undertaken without adherence to established protocols, which are typically followed by the PWD.
The clandestine nature of the project's commencement has raised eyebrows, leaving many questioning the motives behind sidestepping procedural norms.
Individuals with inside knowledge have disclosed that the primary motivation for bypassing standard procedures was to expedite the pace of work.
It is suggested that adhering to regular protocols could have prolonged the project timeline significantly, potentially stretching it to months, if not years.
A senior PWD official shed light on the intricacies of road widening projects, emphasising the necessity of acquiring additional land, which often involves a protracted land acquisition process.
Typically, the initial step involves obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) from landowners.
However, the official noted that this process is notoriously cumbersome and can frequently extend over several years, resulting in project delays.
To mitigate delays associated with land acquisition, the government had introduced the "procurement of land under fair compensation" act in 2013. Nevertheless, this expedited process incurred substantial expenses, with the government paying up to three times the market price of the land to landowners.
Despite established procedures, the Siolim-Marna road widening project proceeded without adhering to the customary protocol.
Notably, the crucial steps of obtaining administrative approval, floating tenders, and securing expenditure sanction were reportedly overlooked.
The project has come to a standstill after some locals approached the High Court, decrying the indiscriminate felling of trees undertaken to facilitate the road widening works.
The Siolim-Marna road widening project stands as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and adherence to established procedures in public infrastructure endeavours.
