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VASCO
Assuring to clear all files sent by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida regarding roads or water supply before December 19, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on Monday also promised that Vasco would get a minimum of 18 hours water supply per day by December.
The minister was addressing a gathering after launching development works in Vasco in the presence of Almeida and Ward Councillor Deepak Naik.
Pauskar launched the drainage work and hotmixing of roads near Government School and near Candelaria School at Baina, adding that the works could begin after monsoons.
“All files sent by Almeida regarding development of roads or water supply will be cleared with administrative and financial approval before December 19, which will resolve major issues plaguing Vasco constituency.”
“Before December, I will also ensure that Vasco gets a minimum of 18 hours water supply per day,” Pauskar said.
Pauskar said the works to hotmix FL Gomes road was delayed due to shortage of asphalt and said the PWD had been working ways to handle the situation.
“We have faced acute shortage of asphalt this year, which had led to some pending projects. We are working out ways to resolve the issue and I have even spoken to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to update him about the situation.”
“We will take precautions to ensure this shortage does not happen next year. The work to hotmix the FL Gomes road will be taken up after Diwali as these works cannot be carried out in the monsoon,” said Pauskar.
The minister also informed that about 15% of JAICA works are pending because some contractors have stopped working and the PWD had terminated them.
“The PWD has re-tendered the works as per new GSR estimates. This tender is published and works will begin soon and I feel that we will complete the project by December 19 and PWD will supply water to Vasco for a minimum of 18 hours,” said Pauskar.
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar had issued work orders for over Rs 14 crore.
Ward Councillor Deepak Naik said works worth Rs 1.5 crore were launched by the PWD Minister because of the Vasco MLA.
Signboards vital during traffic
diversions, says Pauskar
VASCO: PWD Minister Deepak Pawaskar on Monday said signboards at traffic diversions were important to prevent confusion among motorists travelling at night.
Pauskar was responding to queries from reporters about the absence of traffic signboards till Sunday afternoon to intimate motorists about the closure of the highway between Cortalim circle and Satrant.
Speaking along the sidelines of launching development works in Baina in the presence of Vasco MLA Carlos
Almeida, Pauskar said he had already convened a meeting with DBL, contractors for the new Zuari bridge, and had directed them to have signboards installed at the traffic diversion sites.
“The DBL is doing these works and we have enforced the
traffic diversion and stopped traffic between Cortalim
circle and Verna at night for three months for the safety of motorists.”
“There should be no confusion among motorists and signboards are necessary during traffic diversions. We had already informed the DBL well in advance. We will have another immediate meeting with DBL and instruct them to take all preventive precautionary measures, including the erection of signboards,” said Pauskar.
Responding to queries on the proposed service road, which would have provided a shorter diversion to motorists, the minister said a proposal for the service road along the Konkan Railway tracks had been put up.
“But nothing has happened on that front as of now. Former minister Sudin Dhavalikar had proposed the service road but now we have notified the traffic diversion via Cortalim circle already and the road between Cortalim circle and Verna will be closed only at night. Emergency vehicles like ambulances will be allowed along the road,” said Pauskar.
