MoRTH warns action against contractors for bad roads
But feels the quality of road construction in Goa is good
One lane of Zuari bridge to be inaugurated on December 15, says Gadkari
Foundation and tender for Viewing gallery on Zuari bridge in line with Eiffel tower soon
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: As the BJP government faces mass criticism over poor quality road infrastructure across State, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today assured to take action against the contractors indulged in sub-standard work.
Gadkari also announced that one lane of New Zuari Bridge will be thrown open for the public with its inauguration on December 15, this year.
“All the contractors who carry out sub-standard work will be penalized; we are not favouring any road contractor who is allocated work on National Highways; if there seems to be an issue with the roads here in Goa, action will be taken,” assured Gadkari while addressing a press conference in the State capital.
He, however, was non-committal on action against M/s M Venkat Rao, who has got the majority of road works in Goa and most of his works being sub-standard.
He further said that one lane of Zuari Bridge will be inaugurated on December 15, while the entire project will be ready by September 2022.
“The space acquired for toll plaza on Zuari Bridge will be used for restaurants, petrol pumps, gas stations,” he added.
He also informed that the second Zuari Bridge in the State will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in the country. This bridge will be completed by September 2022, but we are trying to open one lane by December 2021 by completing the approach roads.
“We will tender soon viewing gallery on the bridge. It will be modelled on the Eiffel Tower in France. It will give a major boost to Goa tourism,” Gadkari said.
Gadkari also announced four new projects for Goa: Navelim- Cuncolim road of 6.5 km, Canacon Bypass, Sanjivani Sugar Factory to Khandepar road, and the Ponda-Bhoma Chaupadri Bridge.
“The latest engineering technologies are being used for the modern infrastructure, he said and added that Goa is an international tourist destination and therefore infrastructure of international quality is taken up,” the union minister said.
Speaking further, the Union Minister said Rs 18,000 crore has been sanctioned to improve road connectivity from Mumbai to Goa & Goa to Karnataka.
Also, he added that Rs. 25,000 Cr is sanctioned for different projects for the State of Goa.
Gadkari also stressed the use of ethanol in the transport sector, stating that the government is promoting ethanol manufacturing in a big way.
“Public Transport in the country should be converted to electric. Goa should be prosperous and rich by setting international benchmarks with regards to infrastructure,” he said.
Asserting the belief that ecology and the environment have to be protected while expanding infrastructure, Gadkari said that developmental activities cannot be hampered in the name of environment or ecology.
However, Gadkari refused to speak on a possible alliance of the BJP with MGP but claimed that he would be meeting MGP Chief Sudin Dhavalikar for a discussion.
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar said that hot mix carpet work of the State Highways by spending Rs.140 crores will be completed before December 2021 while under Jal Jivan Mission, all 191 panchayat areas will be provided with clean drinking water by spending Rs.300 crores.
