Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 7: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced in the state budget that every MLA will now get approvals for works worth Rs 100 crore in their constituency, up from Rs 40 crore under the earlier scheme. Legislators are required to submit a list of priorities for the sanctioned works.

Though the public works department (PWD) has a budget provision of Rs 1,321 crore, most of the 133 projects announced by the CM focus on resurfacing, widening, or improving existing roads, with individual works ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 25 crore.

“Road quality across the state will be improved at Rs 1,237.5 crore,” Sawant said, noting that some roads are being restored after earlier digging for sewerage and utility lines. Announcements such as GIS mapping of utilities and laying special ducts for lines alongside roads were reiterated in the budget.

Three new projects funded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways were also announced: the road from Tuem Electronics City to the highway, the Sanguem Paikdev Temple bridge, and beautification of roads around the GMC, with a combined outlay of Rs 444.6 crore.