Bridge, road works begin in remote Khotigao ward

CANACONA

Work has finally begun on a bridge and road in the forested area of Nadke ward in Khotigao village.

 Residents of Nadke, which is a part of Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, have previously faced significant hardships in reaching the nearest paved road at Yeda-Khotigao.

 This was particularly problematic during the monsoon season and the people were compelled to cross a river to make the journey to reach the main village. Children from Nadke and Keri proceeding to schools in Yeda and other locations were often carried on the shoulders of adults across the river to reach Yeda.

 During the rainy season, local residents themselves were forced to traverse through a Div (traditional boat) to cross the river.

 Consequently, children in the area were often faced with a stark choice, to either pursue their education or simply stay confined to their homes. Some parents would send their children to live with relatives in Yeda or other parts of Canacona so as to facilitate their schooling, while other children enrolled in hostels. As a result, the monsoon season meant that these children were separated from their parents.

 Since the Keri and Nadke areas fall within the jurisdiction of a wildlife sanctuary, obtaining permission from both the State government and the central government’s wildlife board was a prerequisite for undertaking any road or bridge construction projects over there.

 Tribal Welfare Minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar is credited with having successfully secured all the necessary permissions.

 Subsequently, a total of Rs 14 crore is now set to be invested in these projects: Rs 9 crore for the construction of a bridge over the river at Yeda, and Rs 5 crore for the construction of a bridge and road at Nadke.

 Tawadkar laid the foundation stone for the bridge and road construction works at Yeda and Nadke in the presence of Khotigao Sarpanch Jayesh Gaonkar, Poinguinim Sarpanch Savita R. Tawadkar, Zilla Panchayat (Poinguinim) Member Ajay Lolienkar, Panchas, local BJP leaders, PWD officials and others.