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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
TNN

Goa: Ensure no potholes on national highway between Margao & Patradevi, HC tells PWD

PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa has directed the PWD and contractor Dilip Buildcon to ensure that there are no potholes or other issues affecting the smooth flow of traffic on the stretch between Patradevi and Panaji on national highway NH-66.

It has also directed contractor MVR to complete work of clearing potholes by May 15 between Patradevi to Panaji.

Amicus curiae Gaurang Panandiker assisting the high court pointed out that there are potholes between Margao and Panaji on NH-66 on the approach roads to the existing Zuari bridge, the portion of road below the railway overbridge at Cortalim and portion of the road after Sharayu Toyota showroom at Verna till the exit road of Thana, Cortalim.

He also added that there are several potholes between Patradevi to Panaji national highway that need to be attended to at the earliest.

The court stated that there is some controversy whether the stretch falls within the scope of works assigned to Dilip Buildcon, but the advocate general said the issue would be sorted out.

In the affidavit filed by Venu Oruganti on behalf of the contractor MVR, the high court found no assurance about completing the work before the monsoon and advocate general Devidas Pangam found the excuse of objections from locals to be frivolous.

“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,” stated the division bench comprising justices Mahesh Sonak and R N Laddha.

“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 respects 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 high court stated.

“If the executive engineer finds that MVR is not 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 added.

The court called for a compliance report to be filed by the MVR managing director.

Pangam submitted to the high court that the work has started from Pollem side on NH-66 and that it will be completed before the monsoons.

At the previous hearing earlier in the month, Panandiker said that due to the construction of highways and other infrastructural projects, potholes have increased and the condition of the roads is such that the work of repairs and maintenance is not being effectively attended to. He added that the time limit within which the contractors should have completed their respective projects has already expired.

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