The parallel bridge at Dando-Sanguem remains unusable due to incomplete approach roads on both sides.
SANGUEM
Nearly six years after work on the project began on June 8, the parallel bridge at Dando-Sanguem remains unusable due to incomplete approach roads on both sides, causing significant public dissatisfaction.
The proposed Dando bridge is a four-lane bridge with pathways on either side, with four spans having a length of 26 metres each, with approaches extending to 488 metres. Constructed at the cost of Rs 16.88 crore, the bridge was set to be completed by the end of December 2024.
The construction site is currently at a standstill, with the contractor reportedly absent for over three months, allegedly due to the failure of authorities to provide clear land for the approach road on the Curchorem side.
The contractor’s removal of machinery and labour has heightened local concerns about the project’s future. The construction of the approach road towards Curchorem is hindered by the lack of provision for a link road to Tarimol ward, a point of contention for residents in Sanguem Municipality.
Additionally, a lingering court matter concerning the rehabilitation of a family whose house was within the project area has severely impacted the construction of the approach road towards the Dando end.
The project has faced previous disruptions, including delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the stoppage of work due to unspecified administrative measures about two years ago.
These repeated disruptions and the current absence of the contractor have raised serious doubts among locals regarding the bridge’s completion.
“Despite repeatedly raising the issue of the halted construction, the authorities themselves seem unclear about the reasons for the stoppage of the project,” said Sanguem Municipal Councillor Meshu D’Costa.
He claimed that on May 5, the Assistant Engineer at the PWD office in Sanguem had offered no concrete explanation and suggested contacting the GSIDC, implying that PWD Sanguem was unaware of the contractor’s removal of machinery and labour.
The parallel bridge was intended to serve as an alternative to the ageing Portuguese-era bridge across the Sanguem river.
There is growing apprehension that this crucial infrastructure project may never be completed, severely impacting regional connectivity and development.
The incomplete work of the Dando bridge has witnessed two public agitations in the past, with locals expressing anger over the inordinate delay of a vital link across the Sanguem river.
Amid growing dissent among locals and with several videos of the incomplete bridge work making it to social media, Minister for Social Welfare and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai conducted a site inspection of the Dando bridge on Tuesday, along with GSIDC Managing Director Harish Adconkar, SMC Chairperson Santiksha Gadkar, officials from the PWD at Sanguem and others.
During the site inspection, Phal Dessai clarified that work on the bridge is presently held up on account of the rehabilitation of the family whose house is affecting construction of the approach road towards the Curchorem side and the link road to the Tarimol ward of Sanguem Municipal Council.
Phal Dessai informed that since no proper provision is made for the construction of a link road to Tarimol village, efforts are underway to plan a proper access to the Tarimol ward and this will take some time.
During the inspection, Phal Dessai also instructed GSIDC officials to trace the whereabouts of the contractor and check on the status of the work done by him and whether he had complied with all work as stated in the work order.
