By Marcellus D’Souza
Apr 29: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and contractor Dilip Buildcon to ensure that there are no potholes between the commercial capital Margao and the entry point to Goa Patradevi.
The Court has directed contractor MVR to complete filling potholes between the Capital city of Panjim and Pradevi by May 15 on National Highway NH 66.
Amicus curiae Gaurang Panandiker who has been appointed to assist the High Court brought to the attention of the Court that there are potholes between Margao and Panjim and in other places of Goa.
Advocate general Devidas Pangam found the excuse of objections from locals to be frivolous. But a division bench comprising justices Mahesh Sonak and R N Laddha said, “Even we fail to appreciate how the locals can have objections if the issue of repairs of potholes is carried out by any contractor. The local can in fact have objections in the delay of repairing these potholes. “Therefore, we direct the respondent No.7 (MVR), without giving any further excuses to ensure that the work of repairs to the potholes or clearing potholes is complete in all latest by May 15. The concerned executive engineer is responsible for overseeing the work on this stretch or his representative remains present at the site practically on each date to ensure that this work is completed”, the judges observed.
“If the executive engineer finds that MVR is not carrying on carrying on the works at the desired pace, immediate notices should be issued to this contractor and action should also be taken against this contractor. Liberty is granted to the state and the learned amicus curiae to point out to this court any delay or lethargy on the part of the contractor in disobeying our directions. Such liberty can be even exercised during vacation if need arises,” the High Court said.
The court called for a compliance report to be filed by the MVR managing director.
Devidas Pangam submitted to the High Court that “work had started from the Pollem side on NH-66 and that it will be completed before the monsoons.