PANAJI: Taking a dig at the former PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao, the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar claimed that many roads and bridges built during the erstwhile Congress government were of substandard quality.

Mr Parrikar was speaking after commissioning the renovated Institute Menezes Braganza (IMB) hall on the 141st anniversary celebrations of the institute in the city on Saturday in the presence of the Minister for Art and Culture, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar. The renovated hall is air-conditioned and is equipped with modern facilities.
The main hall has about 475 chair capacity while the art gallery has a capacity to accommodate 200 chairs. The hall is also equipped with modern sound and light systems. The IMB hall also houses two green rooms one each for ladies and gents.
Mr Parrikar also said that many developmental projects like Margao Collectorate building and hospital buildings would be completed soon. He also congratulated IMB chairman, Mr Sanjay Harmalkar for renovation of the hall in a short period.
Speaking further, Mr Parrikar said that the IMB hall would be used as a common platform for staging cultural dramas besides promoting activities in the field of language, literature except for weddings and birthday ceremonies. He urged the IMB authorities to plan targeted programme for promotion of art and culture for next three to five years involving budding artists so that they can develop their artistic talents.
The Minister for Art and Culture, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar expressed satisfaction over the renovation of IMB hall and said that it would help in organising conferences, seminars and many other cultural activities. He told the PWD to take necessary steps to complete the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao soon.
Mr J S S Rego, principal chief engineer, PWD, Ms Radha Pannami, chief architect, Mr Nirmal Braganza, chief electrical engineer, and many other officers who contributed for renovation of IMB hall were honoured at the hands of Mr Parrikar on the occasion.
Advocate Dr F E Noronha, member of IMB, delivered talk on ‘Relevance of Luis de Menezes Braganza today’ on the occasion. Mr Sanjay Harmalkar, chairman of the institute welcomed the gathering.
The function was also attended by Ms Vaidehi Naik, mayor of Corporation of City of Panaji, Mr Pundalik Raut Desai, vice chairman of IMB, Mr Prasad Lolayekar, director of Art and Culture, Mr J S S Rego, PCF, PWD, Mr Ashok Parab, member secretary, IMB and others.