Daijiworld Media Network- Goa

South Goa, Jan 22: Union Minister of road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, has called for stringent action against encroachments affecting road projects in Goa. During a public address after laying the foundation stone for six national highway projects, Gadkari flagged discrepancies in road widths and directed state authorities to investigate and resolve the matter.

“I suspect some government officials have encroached on these roads, leading to a reduction in width. Issue notices and remove the encroachments. If they don’t comply, I will arrange for bulldozers to raze them,” Gadkari said. He urged Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and chief secretary Dr V Candavelou to ensure that all road construction aligns with approved plans.

The minister emphasized the importance of identifying accident-prone black spots in the state and working towards making Goa “pollution-free and accident-free.” He also stressed the need to expedite the revolving restaurant project atop the Zuari bridge tower, highlighting its potential to create employment opportunities for the youth and boost tourism.

Gadkari inaugurated India’s first cable-stayed bridge built on a curve, describing it as a milestone in the country’s infrastructure development.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant, present at the event, praised the progress made under the BJP’s “double-engine government,” which has invested over Rs 40,000 crore in infrastructure projects in Goa. “We have achieved in 14 years what hadn’t been accomplished in the last 50 years. These developments will benefit Goa for the next 25 years,” Sawant said.

He further added that the foundation stone for the revolving restaurant on the Zuari bridge tower will be laid soon, calling it a potential global tourist attraction.