Panaji: Newly-inducted PWD minister, Deepak Pauskar, on Thursday said he intends to infuse efficiency and accountability in the department and make it people-friendly.Speaking to TOI after taking over as Goa’s new PWD minister, Pawaskar said his priority is to improve water supply and his target is to provide 24x7 supply within the next three years. He takes over from Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, who has been handling the PWD portfolio since 2002, barring a large part of the Congress government term (2007-2011), where the ministry was handed to Churchill Alemao.Among new initiatives, Pauskar will pursue the Green Highway policy of the central government pushed by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. “I will focus on green highways passing through Goa as a lot of money is coming from the Centre for the purpose,” he said.The green highway policy talks about undertaking plantations, transplantation, beautification and maintainence activities along national highways. It involves participation of local communities, NGOs, private agencies, farmers and other stakeholders, for which National Green Highways Mission under National Highways Authority of India is the nodal agency.Besides water supply, Pauskar has decided to complete the sewerage projects pending for some time now. His focus will also be on the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) –funded projects.“Some projects have some to a standstill. I am told the contractors have abandoned the work. These projects need to be restarted, so that the benefits go to the people of the state,” he said.Pauskar also said that JICA-funded projects will improve water and sewerage connectivity even in the rural areas. Stating that he understands the difficulties of rural folk better as he comes from a rural background, the Sanvordem MLA said that it was his objective to not just complete the projects, but also give rural areas necessary amenities.Pauskar is a first-time minister. He was elected on the MGP ticket during the last assembly elections held in February 2017. Following his shift to BJP along with tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar in what was termed a “midnight coup”, Pauskar was rewarded with the most plumb portfolio with the highest budget compared to other government departments.Pauskar will be meeting officials over the next one week to take a review of various works that come under PWD such as sewerage, highways –both national and state, buildings, sanitation and water supply.“I will be calling a series of meetings over the next two days with officers to review projects and take appropriate decisions accordingly. I want to know why certain projects are pending and how we can get the works expedited for completion,” he said.Pauskar further said he intends to make the water supply service consumer-friendly. He said he would discuss with officers about ensuring efficiency in delivery of work, and also in bill payment including online. He also said that the government could explore the possibility of having more effective helplines for pipeline breakdowns and to make the consumer cell more effective.

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