Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a move aimed at strengthening regulation and ensuring accountability in infrastructure works, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat has announced a stricter framework for granting road cutting permissions across the state.
The Minister said that despite earlier directives mandating prior approvals for road excavation, violations continued to be reported in several areas. To address this, the government has introduced an Assembly-level Constituency Inter-Departmental Committee, led by Sushil Kumar, to regulate and monitor all such activities.
A formal notification has been issued, and the committee will review all applications related to road cutting and infrastructure works. It will hold regular meetings and take serious note of complaints or violations, with provisions for immediate action, including filing police complaints where necessary.
Kamat clarified that no road digging work will be permitted without the committee’s approval. Permissions will be granted only after thorough scrutiny, particularly for essential works such as pipeline laying and public infrastructure projects.
He further stated that the system has been integrated with a centralised digital portal to streamline the approval process and enhance transparency in development-related works.
Highlighting improvements in road restoration practices, the Minister said strict technical guidelines have now been enforced. Unlike earlier basic repairs, full-stage concrete restoration and proper hot mixing will be mandatory to ensure durability and long-term quality.
The committee will include senior officials such as the Chief Electrical Engineer, representatives from the Water Resources Department (WRD), and heads of key departments, ensuring coordinated and multi-level oversight.
On a related note, Kamat said that municipal delimitation work is currently underway as per due procedure, with the government focusing on systematic planning and improved coordination in urban governance.
He reiterated that the new framework is designed to minimise repeated road damage, enhance public convenience, and ensure disciplined execution of infrastructure projects across Goa.
