Stop digging roads, S Goa collector to govt agencies

MARGAO: The South Goa district collector G P Naik on Wednesday directed all concerned government agencies to stop digging of roads for any purpose positively by April 30 and complete restoration of the roads by May 15. Anybody found violating the directions will be liable for prosecution by the law enforcing agencies, Naik warned officials while chairing a meeting of all concerned government agencies on monsoon preparedness at the south Goa collectorate, Margao, on Wednesday.
While Naik expressed satisfaction over the responsiveness of all government agencies in tackling disasters, he castigated the panchayats for their 'lethargic attitude' and took the BDOs to task.
"The panchayats have miserably failed to act in contributing their mite towards mitigating the disasters. All should note that utmost priority should be given to mitigating the disaster when it strikes," Naik told the officials.
The officials were briefed about the check list for monsoon preparedness prepared by the department of disaster management of the central government. They were asked to prepare a profile of various areas vulnerable to different kinds of disasters based on which an evacuation plan should be formulated.
Mamlatdars as well as officials of the PWD, agriculture and fisheries department were directed to complete assessment of losses expeditiously during the entire monsoons. Mamlatdars and the civil supplies department were instructed to ensure that adequate stocks of essential commodities like food grains, kerosene, oil etc are maintained at fair price shops and godowns. The directorate of health services was also instructed to maintain essential medicines at various primary health centres.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the district administration officials have been pursuing with the Konkan railway officials the proposal for transporting hazardous chemicals through the railway's RO-RO services so as to prevent road accidents involving vehicles carrying such goods.