Panaji | Aug 04, 2016: Stating that the proposed mining ‘bypass’ corridor in the Sanguem taluka is a “matter of priority” for the government, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said that the slowdown in the construction of this corridor was a result of the ban on mining activities in the state, as well as related permissions required from the forest department.

Parsekar, who also holds the mines and geology portfolio, replying to a related question from Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldesai said that he has recently held a meeting with the MLAs in the region, Chief Secretary, Collector for South Goa, directors of transport as well as mines and geology, police superintendent and the managing director of the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation to discuss the construction of this corridor.

The Chief Minister further stated that land admeasuring 2.92 lakh sq mt has been acquired by the government for the first phase of the corridor, which includes a 8.8 km long road from Uguem to Guddemol, while land admeasuring 1.77 lakh sq mt has been acquired for the second phase of the corridor, which includes a 8.38 km long road from Guddemol to Capxem. “In 2010, work estimated to cost Rs 65.75 crore for the same was awarded, which was 24 per cent below the estimated cost of Rs 86 crore,” he noted.

“The alignment for second phase is finalised, and the estimate for the same is under preparation,” Parsekar revealed, stating that the alignment of the third phase from Kavrem to Uguem is not finalised. “The mining corridor, in first and second phases, is passing through the government forest land,” he mentioned.

Stating that clearance from the forest department is yet to be obtained, the Chief Minister informed that the exact timeframe required to phase-wise open up the corridor cannot be envisaged at this stage, as the project is totally dependent on the process of diversion of forest land, which belongs to the forest department.

Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral stated that the GSIDC is not taking up the work of the corridor with seriousness, and, therefore, it should be handed over to the public works department. “The contractor has left the work, and the GSIDC is yet to take up the retendering process,” he added, reiterating that the work for third phase of the corridor should be handed over to the PWD.

(Source: http://goacom.com/)