PWD, not GSUDA, to build burial ground at Sonsoddo

Panaji: The construction of the kabrastan (burial ground) at Sonsoddo will be undertaken through PWD and not Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA), govt told the Bombay high court on Friday.

Advocate general Devidas Pangam told the HC that the construction will take 18 months. The court has called for a progress report to be submitted in July.

Pangam said the process of preparing tender documents or completing works at the burial site would take about 90 days, followed by the actual construction work, which would take 18 months thereafter. The petitioner objected to 18 months for completing the project, stating that several orders were passed and that there was a delay in constructing the burial ground.

Pangam said funds were made available and that GSUDA was appointed to construct the burial ground. A consultant was also brought on board, but the work faced issues after a chapel blocked access to the land. The matter was resolved after the church provided an alternative land and the access, he said, adding that this took place on Feb 2 and that is why the work was delayed.