PANAJI
While issuing stern directions to the Smart City contractors to ensure that the works are completed by May 31, the State government on Tuesday said that the consultant would be held accountable in case of sub-standard works.
The Chief Secretary held a crucial meeting with the contractors carrying out Smart City works on Tuesday to review the status of the ongoing works under the Mission. The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister and Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate, SP North, along with officials from the departments of PWD, Sewerage Corporation, and CCP.
Emerging from the meeting, Monserrate said that different contractors are engaged in undertaking various works, including sewage and roads along various internal road stretches of the capital city. He said that the Chief Secretary took a review of the works, and separate deadlines are set for each of the works to be completed.
“We have to finish the entire Smart City works by May 31 at any cost, and for that, each contractor will have to meet their deadlines. See, it’s like this, unless the work of the sewage line is completed, we cannot do roads,” he explained.
“The timeframe has been decided for each contractor because we have got a deadline of May 31. I assure you that by May 31, everything will be clear. People will have to cooperate with us till then,” he added.
Monserrate said that the meeting also decided that the consultants, who are overseeing the works, will be held accountable in case of sub-standard works. “The consultant is a main person who would be held accountable in case of sub-standard works. The consultant will have to check the work before placing the bills. He will be held to task. We are not going to pay the money just like that,” he said.
He reiterated that the authorities cannot vouch for the quality of the work for now, and it is the sole responsibility of the consultant to ensure that the best is provided to the people.
During the meeting, SP North was asked to work out a traffic diversion plan in case the need arises for the closure of certain roads to speed up the work.
