Panaji, July 8: Social activist Johnson D’Silva has raised serious concerns over the reported collapse of the newly constructed ₹100-plus crore ONGC Betul Floating Jetty, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the project and accountability from those responsible for its execution.

In a strongly worded statement, D’Silva said the incident has raised disturbing questions about governance, transparency and the utilisation of public funds. He questioned how a project worth more than ₹100 crore could reportedly suffer such a failure within a short period and asked who should be held accountable.

“Who approved the project? Who monitored the quality of construction? Who certified that the work met the required standards?” he asked, adding that the issue extends beyond the collapse of a jetty and concerns public confidence in the manner in which taxpayers’ money is being spent.

D’Silva said the BJP Government cannot remain silent on the matter and asserted that the people of Goa deserve clear answers rather than excuses.

He demanded that an independent technical and financial investigation be ordered immediately to determine whether the collapse was caused by negligence, poor workmanship, design flaws or any other irregularities in the planning and execution of the project.

He further urged that if any contractor, consultant, engineer, government official or any other individual is found responsible for corruption, negligence or misuse of public funds, strict legal action should be initiated against them. He also called for the recovery of every rupee of public money found to have been misused.

“The people are tired of seeing costly public projects fail while no one is held accountable. The real question is not who inaugurates projects, but who answers when they collapse,” D’Silva said.

Stressing that public money is sacred, he said those entrusted with managing it are custodians of taxpayers’ hard-earned money and must be held accountable for every expenditure. He concluded by demanding transparency, accountability and justice, stating that the time for political speeches is over and the time for decisive action has arrived.