Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa
Mapusa, Mar 18: In a move underscoring rising concerns over repeated road cutting in Bardez, the Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated criminal proceedings against a private internet service provider for allegedly carrying out unauthorised excavation on newly laid roads.
Based on a complaint filed by Darshan Shetye, Assistant Engineer-II from PWD Sub Division-II, WD-XIII (R), Mapusa, police registered an offence against the director and site management staff of Ethernet Express/Edgecom Telecommunication Pvt Ltd, Porvorim.
According to the complaint, the accused, acting with common intention, undertook illegal digging and excavation to lay optical fibre cables at multiple locations without prior permission from the PWD.
The stretches identified include the road from Karaswada to Club Mahindra resort at Assonora, and from Ozrim junction at Pirna to the Advalpal boundary.
PWD officials alleged that the unauthorised work led to damage to government property and caused financial loss to the state exchequer.
The action comes amid increasing instances of newly resurfaced roads being dug up by utility agencies soon after hotmixing, drawing criticism from the public over lack of coordination among departments.
Police have registered the case under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. A notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been issued to the accused.
Further investigation is being carried out by ASI Anil Pilgaonkar.