Centre to sponsor 50% Goa bridge cost
Panaji, June 12 : Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said his Ministry will bear 50 per cent of the cost of an upcoming Rs 860 crore bridge across the Mandovi river near Panaji.
The Goa government is facing a cash crunch, and following a personal request from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Central government decided to bear a part of the expenses.
Gadkari, who was in Goa to inspect ongoing work at the multi-span beam bridge, also said the Mumbai-Goa highway project would be completed before March next year. "The effort is to inaugurate it before March next year," he said.
The Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping said Parrikar had initially requested him to allow the BJP-led Goa government to build the National Highway bridge by assuring him that the state would fund the structure, instead of the central authorities.
"I asked him not to do it as the liability will increase. Parrikar had said he will figure it out," Gadkari said at a function here.
The Minister further said that some months ago, Parrikar met him again and requested his Ministry to fund 50 per cent of the cost towards the bridge as the state was suffering from financial difficulties, to which the Central Ministry officials objected.
"But because of Parrikar's insistence, we have overruled the department and the Central government has now decided to fund 50 per cent of the expense for the bridge," Gadkari said.
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Pankaj Advani bags record 28th World Billiards title
New Delhi, Nov 9: Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani clinched a historic 28th world title, seventh in a row, defeating England’s Robert Hall 4-2 at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Doha on Saturday.
Advani’s winning streak had begun in 2016 and has also survived two years (2020, 2021) of vacuum created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hall took an early lead in the opening frame, but the Indian rallied to reach the magic 150 first. He then delivered an astonishing unfinished 147 break in the second frame, leaving Hall stunned. The third frame was a masterclass in tactical brilliance from both finalists.
Advani emerged victorious in the cerebral duel, positioning himself just one frame away from making history.
However, Hall refused to bow out quietly, crafting a flawless 151 break in the fourth frame to keep his hopes alive.
The fifth frame saw Hall on fire once more, delivering another stunning 154 break to level the pressure on Advani.
But the Bengaluru man elevated his game in the sixth frame with a crucial century break. After a series of strategic safety exchanges, the Indian maestro crossed the finish line.
“It feels amazing to be on a winning streak of world billiards titles. It wasn’t easy though. The competition was tough.
“When I was not in full flow, it was my brother Shree, a sports psychologist, who came to the rescue. He helped me stay in the present and kept the scoreboard ticking. This win is for my country and family,” said Advani.
Score (Final): Pankaj Advani (India) beat Robert Hall (England): 151(71)-94(87), 151(147)-0, 150-84, 74(74)-151(151), 6-154(154), 152(105)-46.
