MARGAO
Expressing concern over the structural stability of the decades old Assolna bridge over River Sal, the Chinchinim gram sabha on Sunday called for an immediate stability audit of the bridge and take up the bridge repairs on priority.
The gram sabha demanded that the government plan a parallel new bridge to cater to the future requirements of communications.
The gram sabha meeting also adopted a resolution requesting the Goa government to recommend the name of Fr George Quadro, the Paddy Man of Goa, for the Padma Bhushan award for reviving agriculture in Goa through his revolutionary methods of agriculture. The gram sabha also recommended the name of Chinchinim Comunidade chief Agnelo Furtado for the state agriculture award for his sustained efforts to make fallow agricultural land cultivable in the village.
At the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Valentino Barretto, the issue of the commercial complex also came for discussions. The members questioned whether the commercial complex has the approval of the Town and Country Planning department and whether the parking provision mooted in the plan conforms to the rules in force.
In his reply, Sarpanch Valentino pointed out that the commercial complex has been approved by the TCP by giving the technical clearance for the project.
On the Assolna bridge, the Sarpanch pointed out that decades old bridge over the river Sal is the only link for the people of Assolna, Velim, Betul and further down South to travel to Chinchinim and Margao and any damage to the bridge can disrupt an important mode of communication.
Saying heavy loaded vehicles are plying on the bridge almost everyday, the Sarpanch said a structural audit is necessary to find out the stability of the bridge. “The PWD should immediately take up the repairs of the bridge on a war footing. The government should also plan a new bridge at the site to take care of future requirements.
