Goemkarponn Desk\SURAJ NANDREKAR
PANAJI: All the apprehensions about the sub-standard quality work on the NH66 have come true as the Public Works Department itself admitting the same.
Dattaraj S. Pai Kakode) Assistant Engineer, I. Public Works Department, has written to The Executive Engineer, Works Division VII on 01/04/2021 about the condition of the flyover at Bambolim.
The letter was in reference grievance received through PG Portal of Damodar S. Divkar, Vasco- Goa regarding NH-66 newly constructed bridge highway, several cracks developed on the newly constructed flyover opposite of the Military Base, Bambolim -Goa.
The AE says that a. site inspection was carried out and the instructions were issued on 20.10.2019 to rectify the same.
“The contractor repaired the same by using epoxy material which was kept under observation for long time and in due course it was noticed that the cracks were not stable and expanded,” he says.
Further he says, again the joint site inspection was held on 16.02.2021 and thereafter, it was decided to remove the damaged panels completely.
“The cracked panels were marked and were removed precisely and re-laid with PQC of M 40 grade on 03.03.2021,” he says.
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar all this while had refused to admit allegations of shoddy work and maintained that cracks were superficial.
Not just Bambolim flyover, questions have been raised over entire work of four lanning on NH66, which is moving at snail’s pace.
Citizens have also alleged high level of corruption in awarding of tenders.
The contractors apart from creating mess on regular road have also damaged power lines and water pipelines which has inconvenienced locals.
Dilip Buildcon country’s biggest heavy civil infrastructure developer has been awarded a contract to transform national highways across Bambolim to Verna for now and he is also the contractor for Goa Bombay Highway.
However, many such incidents have happened along the Mumbai-Goa highway exposing the work done by Dilip Buildcon.
The contractor had taken repair works of the entire portion of the entire highway.