MARGAO
Benaulikars came out in strength on Tuesday to demand the early completion of the abandoned Navelim-Benaulim bridge over river Sal.
Two days after residents of Navelim led by former MLA Avertano Furtado, former Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva descended on the Sinquetim side of the abandoned bridge to oppose plans to resume work on the bridge, villagers of Benaulim assembled on the Benaulim side of the bridge in support of the project.
Benaulim panchayat members, including Sarpanch Vencila Fernandes, Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudesai, besides other members, strongly rooted in favour of the bridge.
Churchill’s son, Savio, along with Warren Alemao, was also seen with the people.
Ward panch member David Fernandes told the media that the Navelim-Benaulim bridge was a long-pending dream of the villagers for decades and lamented that some people have scuttled the plans of MLA Churchill Alemao to implement the project.
“The foundation stone for the Navelim-Benaulim bridge was laid when Churchill was the PWD Minister. There’s no ground whatsoever to oppose the bridge when it would have only facilitated the people to cross over to the other side,” David said.
Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudesai said some people are trying to misguide the people over the bridge, saying the work has not been stayed by any authority to date. “The bridge was being executed by the government around a decade ago before work on the project was kept on hold. The delay in completing the project has only increased the cost, causing a loss to the exchequer,” he said, adding that majority of the people who have assembled in support of the project hail from Benaulim village.
Panch member and tiatrist Menino de Bandar also made a strong case in favour of the bridge, saying the government has applied for police protection to complete the project since it is being executed legally by complying to other norms.
Former Sarpanch Ashok Audi spoke in favour of the completion of the bridge, construction on which was abandoned midway in 2012.
