PORVORIM: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said the government should not initiate development projects if they are going to be stopped due to objections from some quarters. He was referring to former chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s decision to suspend work on the Rs 9.5-crore Navelim-Sinquetim bridge.
“I am in complete agreement with you,” Sawant said while responding to criticism from opposition MLAs. “Proper studies should have been done and all objections thought of before starting the project. What is the use of a bridge if only two-wheelers can use it? We will build a proper bridge and complete work at the earliest.”
Rs 4.2 crore had already been paid to the contractor for work carried out on the bridge, Sawant said, and added that the consultant was still on board.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who had moved a Calling Attention motion over the incomplete bridge, alleged that former MLAs Caetano Silva and Avertano Furtado were behind the move to get the project stalled due to their vested interests.
PWD minister Deepak Pauskar said only 30% of the project was completed and that directives to keep work on hold were issued in 2012 following a meeting held by Parrikar. This prompted a barrage of criticism from opposition MLAs.
“Even the central government had awarded funds for the project. Work began in 2009 but was kept on hold because of the interests of Caetano and Avertano. Work was stopped because the approach road was passing through the property of one person. If you want to think of your selfish interests, you should not become an MLA,” Alemao said.
He alleged that the bridge’s specifications were also altered to keep it narrow.
“I want the bridge to be completed as it was planned. They are saying four-wheelers should not use it. Is the bridge being built for bullock carts?” Alemao said.
While Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro said accountability should be fixed for such a long delay, opposition leader Digambar Kamat said work had been illegally kept on hold. “If this is allowed, whoever comes to power will starting keeping projects on hold as per their interests,” he said.
“I am in complete agreement with you,” Sawant said while responding to criticism from opposition MLAs. “Proper studies should have been done and all objections thought of before starting the project. What is the use of a bridge if only two-wheelers can use it? We will build a proper bridge and complete work at the earliest.”
Rs 4.2 crore had already been paid to the contractor for work carried out on the bridge, Sawant said, and added that the consultant was still on board.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who had moved a Calling Attention motion over the incomplete bridge, alleged that former MLAs Caetano Silva and Avertano Furtado were behind the move to get the project stalled due to their vested interests.
PWD minister Deepak Pauskar said only 30% of the project was completed and that directives to keep work on hold were issued in 2012 following a meeting held by Parrikar. This prompted a barrage of criticism from opposition MLAs.
“Even the central government had awarded funds for the project. Work began in 2009 but was kept on hold because of the interests of Caetano and Avertano. Work was stopped because the approach road was passing through the property of one person. If you want to think of your selfish interests, you should not become an MLA,” Alemao said.
He alleged that the bridge’s specifications were also altered to keep it narrow.
“I want the bridge to be completed as it was planned. They are saying four-wheelers should not use it. Is the bridge being built for bullock carts?” Alemao said.
While Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro said accountability should be fixed for such a long delay, opposition leader Digambar Kamat said work had been illegally kept on hold. “If this is allowed, whoever comes to power will starting keeping projects on hold as per their interests,” he said.
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