Tar shortage likely reason for disruption of road works: CM

PANAJI

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the Public Works Department (PWD) has halted fresh hot-mix tarmac works across Goa and only repairs and pothole filling are now being carried out.

Speaking at the post-cabinet briefing, Sawant indicated that a shortage of tar could be behind the disruption.

“Non-availability of tar for some period was the likely reason for delays in road repair and maintenance works undertaken by PWD contractors ahead of the monsoon,” he said.

Sawant clarified that while hot-mix resurfacing has stopped, pothole repairs can continue using premix material. He said instructions have been issued to the PWD to ensure roads remain motorable during the rainy season.

“We have directed the department to carry out pothole filling wherever required. The focus is on keeping roads safe and functional,” he added.

The halt in hot-mix works comes at a time when contractors were racing to complete pre-monsoon road strengthening but the shortage of tar has slowed down progress.

Sawant assured that the government is monitoring the situation closely and added that the PWD has been asked to prioritise repairs on key routes to ensure commuters face minimal disruption.

In other decisions the cabinet cleared land transfers and funds for wetland protection.

Sawant said, the cabinet approved the transfer of 20,245 square meters of land from the Water Resources Department (WRD) to the Government College at Quepem to facilitate expansion of the institution and improve facilities for students.

In another decision, Rs 40 lakh was sanctioned for digital validation, ground truthing, and placing demarcation stones at notified wetlands. The work will be carried out by the Goa State Wetland Authority in compliance with Supreme Court directions, he said.

The cabinet also cleared the transfer of 5,150 sq m of land at Molcornem, Quepem, to the Fire and Emergency Services Department. 

Sawant said the site will be used to set up a new fire station to strengthen emergency response in the remote region.