MAPUSA
In a move that underscores growing concerns over repeated road cutting across Bardez, the Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated criminal action against a private internet service provider (ISP) for allegedly carrying out unauthorised excavation on newly laid roads.
Based on a complaint filed by Darshan Shetye, Assistant Engineer-II from the PWD Sub Division-II, WD-XIII (R), Mapusa, police registered an offence against the director and site management staff of Ethernet Express/Edgecom Telecommunication Pvt Ltd, Porvorim.
According to the complaint, the accused, acting with common intention, undertook illegal digging and excavation work to lay optical fibre cables at multiple locations without obtaining prior permission from the PWD.
The stretches identified include the road from Karaswada to Club Mahindra resort at Assonora, and from Ozrim junction at Pirna to the Advalpal boundary.
PWD officials alleged that the unauthorised works resulted in damage to government property and caused financial loss to the state exchequer.
The action comes amid increasing instances of freshly hotmixed roads being dug up by utility agencies soon after resurfacing, triggering public criticism over lack of coordination among departments.
Police have registered the offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
A notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been issued to the accused. Further investigation is being carried out by ASI Anil Pilgaonkar.
