Goa allocates Rs 1,200cr for road restoration project

Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a budget of Rs 1,208.7 crore to restore roads affected by excavation. New regulations will prevent digging in recently paved roads for five years. There will also be a focus on creating green corridors along highways to enhance safety and aesthetics. Starting this year, residents declining sewerage connections will face additional charges. Households will pay 50% more on water bills, while businesses will have to pay double. This initiative is part of a broader plan to upgrade sewerage systems to prevent water pollution over the next 25 years. The government will launch a multi-service app, allowing citizens to access services without visiting PWD offices. An allocation of Rs 801.5 crore is designated for a new drinking water department. Eleven new water treatment plants are also under construction, while existing sewage networks will expand coverage significantly this year and next.