Chairman of Goa Rehabilitation Board and local MLA Rajesh Faldessai highlighted the danger to commuters using the Juem and Cumbarjua bridges which are in a dilapidated condition.
Raising the issue in the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Faldessai sought to know the steps the government intends to take to strengthen these bridges.
“St Estevao bridge connects Juve, and this is a vital link for villagers with no other route. This issue is serious. The main pier on the Juve side has already corroded. In February, I had called a PWD team for an inspection. However, they later undertook shortcut work to repair this pier. The corrosion is still visible during low tide. Huge gaping holes have developed on this pier. Novenas will start later this year at Old Goa, the crowd will swell and traffic will increase. We want to know when work will start,” he said.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who also holds the PWD portfolio, admitted that the bridge is weak and assured to issue a tender soon to undertake repairs. However, the CM said that land is needed on the sides to build a new bridge as the old structure won’t last long, and added that the bridge can be built within two years.
“We are ready to provide land as I along with panchayat members have conducted an inspection. But it needs to be done as soon as possible,” Faldessai said.
On the bridge connecting Cumbharjua and Marcela, the MLA said that thousands of vehicles, trucks and buses ply on this link which has weakened. The file has been passed for undertaking repairs, but work needs to start soon. Nearly 4,000 people stand on the bridge for the Sangodd festival. There will be a festival for Chovoth. An unfortunate incident can occur at any time,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister said that the file has been passed and that the MLA is continuously tracking the file and following up. He said that when Faldessai became MLA, he started processing the files on these issues, and assured him to undertake basic repairs on priority.