PANAJI
As Goa grapples with pothole-ridden roads, the Goa government has earmarked a whopping over Rs 1208 crore towards repair and replenishment of all such roads.
The State government has announced plans to construct green corridors along major highways to improve aesthetics and ensure commuter safety. It has also decided to impose a ban for a period of five years on road digging once it is tarred.
“A new policy on road engineering and design will be introduced to construct Green Corridors along major highways which will stop access to stray cattle, improve aesthetics and ensure commuter safety on roads,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in the State Budget 2025-26.
Announcing the Common Utility Duct for laying of various pipelines, the government has noted that frequent digging of roads leads to poor quality and subsequent accidents.
PWD BUDGET
The Budget for the public works department has been reduced by almost Rs 100 crore. This year, the government has allocated Rs 1976 crore as against Rs 2976 crore earmarked in the last budget.
WATER TANKERS
The Budget speaks about bringing in a comprehensive control to regulate the water tanker sector through responsible mandatory registrations and color coding of all types of tankers.
Further, to cater to water requirements, the government has undertaken construction of water treatment plants total amounting to Rs.1,023.35 crores across various constituencies and also proposes to carry out water supply works amounting to Rs 577.01 crores.
The Chief Minister has also announced a new scheme ‘Mukyamantri Arth Sahay Yojana’ to provide easy-hassle free and low interest credit to government empanelled contractors.
STRUCTURAL AUDIT
Sawant said that the process of structural audit of various bridges and culverts in Goa will be completed this year and it has also taken up Structural Audit of Government Buildings.
“Based on the outcome of the detailed consultancy report, remedial measures for strengthening will be undertaken on a fast track mode. I also propose to take up Structural Audit of all heritage buildings in the State and thereafter restoration of all the heritage buildings as per need and assessment will be initiated,” Sawant said.
In order to improve the visual appeal of Government buildings, Sawant proposed to paint all the Government buildings in respective locations with a uniform colour code.
Vertical Gardens for addressing Urban Heat Islands in Urban Areas are some of the green initiatives proposed in the Budget.
