Vasco: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that Mormugao would get a Rs 26-crore 20-bedded Primary Health Centre (PHC) by August 15, 2027.
“Although the Chicalim Sub-District Hospital was located within an 8-9 km radius, the government decided to provide Mormugao with its own PHC,” said Sawant after laying the foundation stone for the project.
He said the project had been pursued by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar. Sawant said several MLAs had represented Mormugao in the past, but a healthcare facility of this nature had not been established during their tenure.
Referring to infrastructure in the constituency, Sawant said work had been undertaken on transport infrastructure and pollution mitigation. He also said sewerage connectivity was being strengthened and that proposed sewage treatment infrastructure would cater to the constituency’s needs for the next 25 years.
“The PHC will address a long-standing need in the constituency,” said Amonkar.
Amonkar said water scarcity remained a major challenge in Mormugao. He said work on two new 100-cubic metre water tanks was nearing completion and that they would be operational next month, increasing water supply to two to three hours daily. He also said Sawant had assured him of a new pipeline from Salaulim to Verna and Mormugao, expected to be completed within six months, which would provide up to 12 hours of water supply.
Amonkar also urged the Chief Minister to ensure that the Adani Group installed a dome over coal-handling facilities to reduce pollution in the port town.
GSIDC chairman Michael Lobo said the PHC would also have a six-casket mortuary facility. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the government is working to expand healthcare facilities and improve services at the Chicalim Sub-District Hospital, Margao District Hospital and PHCs across the state.
CM defends arrests over ‘Free Umar Khalid’ placards
Vasco: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday defended the police action against those arrested for displaying ‘Free Umar Khalid’ placards during a recent protest, saying the government would not tolerate anti-national activities in Goa. Speaking in Mormugao, Sawant said the police had taken the right action and that a detailed inquiry would be conducted into the incident.
“Peaceful protests were a democratic right and that the government had no objection to students demonstrating over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. However, certain individuals took advantage of the gathering to display ‘Free Umar Khalid’ placards, which is unacceptable,” said Sawant. He said the inquiry would also examine how people from different parts of the country came together for the protest, the organisations involved and the interests behind their participation.
