NT NETWORK
VASCO
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said that the government has made a provision of Rs 50 crore in the budget for the rehabilitation of Birla-Zuarinagar slum dwellers.
Speaking to media, Parrikar said that the BJP had assured the slum dwellers of Birla and Zuarinagar of housing in the assembly election manifesto. Speaking further, he said that the government is working on a comprehensive mobility plan for Goa, which includes multiple modes of transport.
“The public transport system in Goa is in a mess. The buses ferrying passengers remain overcrowded and they operate only during the rush hours,”he said, adding the government intends to provide bus service even during the lean hours.
These buses will operate even if there are no enough passengers, he added. Parrikar said that the state government intends to set up a garbage treatment plant at the IDC Verna, after consulting the villagers residing in the vicinity.
“The government intends to acquire 70,000 to 80,000 sq mt of land, especially, to treat the garbage from the village areas of Mormugao taluka,” he said, adding the whole of Mormugao taluka will benefit from the proposed garbage treatment plant at IDC Verna.
A garbage treatment plant at IDC Verna would provide a great relief to the panchayats which face difficulties in setting up treatment plants in their jurisdictions, he added.
He said that the pressmen and elected representatives like panch members, councillors, zilla panchayat members besides the officials of the civic and panchayat bodies will be taken to the state-of-the-art SWTP at Calangute-Saligao plateau after the panchayat elections, in order to make them aware as to how the plant operates in a scientific manner without emanating any stench.
On a question about the public hearing as regards expansion of coal handling berths at MPT, Parrikar said that there is a need for taking proper precautions by the coal handling units.
He said that the people should be satisfied with the assurance given by the companies about maintaining the air clean by taking up all the precautionary measures.