The Atal Setu across the River Mandovi was hurriedly inaugurated on 5th February 2019 but almost four years later the bridge is yet to be complete in all respects. Why has the contractor not been penalized and blacklisted for the shabby works including those huge recurring craters on the bridge. There are also very huge piles of debris lying all over at both ends of the bridge. The situation is worse at the Panaji end endangering the mangroves. What an eyesore. The wing entering the city is yet to be completed. The overall pathetic works carried out is a matter of concern. The traffic mayhem under the Panaji side of the bridge must also be resolved.
With hundreds of crores having been spent the government was duty bound to ensure that very rigorous Quality Control Standards were not bypassed in their attempt to hastily get it completed. Every project has to be a very lasting one. A successful project is one which can achieve a balance between cost, time, quality and meets the agreed goals of the project. This can only be achieved with transparency, accountability and zero tolerance to corruption. To ensure that every project is properly and meticulously executed, we need to ensure Quality Control by persons well equipped to technically and administratively monitor and ascertain strict compliance of established standards. There can never be any room or excuse for any substandard works or a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of forward planning and research, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Great projects require the highest quality output at every stage. Quality is a journey which has to be ensured from the foundation stone till the very completion of any project.
