Old footbridge to be opened to pedestrians soon; foundation stone for new bridge to come up by Dec
MAPUSA
After mounting pressure from affected locals and sharp criticism from the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), Tivim MLA and Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar on Thursday announced that the much-delayed repair work of the Zuvem-Nadora bridge is nearing completion and will soon be reopened for pedestrian movement.
Speaking to reporters during an inspection of the site, Halarnkar said the repair of the old bridge, which has been a critical link for villagers of Zuvem and Nadora has reached the final phase and will offer immediate relief to residents who have been grappling with daily commuting woes for several months.
“We understand the hardships people have faced due to the closure. The repair work is in its last stage and very soon, pedestrians will be able to use the bridge safely. However, vehicular movement will remain restricted until a permanent solution is in place,” Halarnkar said.
The minister, accompanied by senior PWD engineers personally reviewed the ongoing works and interacted with local stakeholders during the site visit. Nadora Sarpanch Vishwaja Haldankar, advocate Mahesh Rane and local residents were also present.
While the current repairs are aimed at easing pedestrian access, Halarnkar revealed that the government has already moved ahead with plans for a new bridge at the same location.
“All administrative and technical approvals for the construction of a new bridge have been completed. The foundation stone will be laid by December this year,” he said.
The inspection came days after RGP President Manoj Parab accused the local MLA of ignoring the suffering of residents.
Parab had alleged that Halarnkar failed to address the issue despite the bridge being a vital lifeline for hundreds of commuters, including students, daily wage workers and senior citizens.
The Zuvem-Nadora bridge, originally built in the 1980s had deteriorated significantly due to lack of maintenance and increased traffic load over the years.
Its closure earlier this year disrupted connectivity between the Zuvem island and the mainland.
