Ore exporters to build Usagaon bridge, handover to government later

Panaji, Oct 20 (UNI) In a typical example of public-private partnership, the Goa government today entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters' Association (GMOEA) for building a Rs 22 crore bridge at Usgao on the Mahdei river in South Goa.

The Association has agred to undertake construction of the 4-lane bridge on ''build, operate and transfer basis (BOT) at its own expense within a year and hands it over to the state Public Works Department (PWD) after two years for regular maintenance.

The PWD had already acquired the land for the purpose at a cost of Rs 64 lakh besides getting necessary permission so that the work could be undertaken by the Goa Infrstructure Development Company Private Limited which was assigned the task through competitive bidding.

It would replace the existing bridge to cater to heavy vehicular traffic particularly trucks and dumpers that mostly carry iron ore from South Goa, according to chief secretary J P Singh.

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