Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday inspected the Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66, which was crippled by a landslide caused by heavy rains in Malpem.

In a conversation with ANI, Sawant assured that the government is working to restore the highway, stating that a diversion route had already been put in place and that he has spoken to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and written to him regarding the issue. He added that the restoration work is being carried out by contractors and that experts from IIT Mumbai are being consulted to ensure a safe and timely solution.

“A major landslide occurred yesterday and two days ago here. The Government of Goa, the National Highway Authority, had already given a diversion off the road. For the recent landslide, on behalf of the Government of Goa, I have spoken to Nitin Gadkari, and have also written to him, and we are making inquiries through institutes like IIT Mumbai,” he said.

Earlier, in view of the alert for rains issued by the India Meteorological Department of India (IMD), Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday announced that all the schools from pre-primary to the 12th standard will remain closed on Monday.

The Chief Minister announced that the order pertains only to schools, while all government offices and other establishments will continue to operate as scheduled. He also mentioned that the team of emergency service officials has successfully rescued the 80 people who were stranded at the waterfall.

Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, stated, “The Director of Education has been asked to issue a circular that there will be a holiday on Monday as a red alert has been declared and due to this, all the schools of Goa from pre-primary to the 12th standard will remain closed tomorrow.”

He added,”All the roads are overflowed, and water has been filled everywhere. Due to this, we have declared a holiday for one day. But, it is not a government holiday, government offices and everything else will remain open as usual. My request to all the people is that there is heavy rainfall in all the places of Goa and hence one should not go out of the house without any need but only if there is an emergency work… Eighty people who were stranded at the waterfall have been rescued…”