VASCO
Cortalim MLA Anton Vas on Monday morning asserted that the long-pending demand for a railway underpass project at Cansaulim was nearing completion, with nearly 90 per cent of the work already finished.
He accused the opposition of deliberately misleading people by claiming that the project had been stalled.
Vas was speaking to reporters during a campaign programme at Queeny Nagar, Sancoale, held in the presence of Cansaulim Sarpanch Savio Pereira, Velsao Panch Jim D’Souza, ZP independent candidate Merciana Vas and several local residents.
“The opposition is resorting to its usual tactics of misguiding the people by spreading rumours that work on the Cansaulim underpass has stopped. I appeal to citizens not to fall prey to such misinformation. Almost 90 per cent of the project work has already been completed,” Vas said.
Explaining the current status, the MLA said that the culvert boxes had been successfully installed and clearance had been obtained from the comunidade for a 4 to 5-metre-wide footpath.
“The land acquisition process has already been initiated and the Collector has issued the necessary notification. Once completed, the underpass will have a road width of around 6 to 7 metres,” he said.
Calling the underpass a decades-old demand of the people, Vas said he had worked relentlessly to ensure that the project finally took shape.
“This has been a long-standing dream of the people of this area. I want to assure them that there is absolutely no cause for concern. Only a few works remain on the Railways’ side, including the retaining wall and finishing touches. The Railways will also clear the accumulated mud, and the underpass will be opened to the public very soon,” he added.
Cansaulim Sarpanch Savio Pereira echoed the MLA’s views and dismissed claims that the project had come to a halt.
“Some people are unnecessarily trying to create a false narrative that the underpass work has stopped. Anyone can verify the facts with technical experts. This is a large-scale project and naturally involves several safety checks. The work is on track and there is no need to worry,” Pereira said.
Meanwhile, campaigning by ZP independent candidate Merciana Vas was seen gaining momentum in different parts of Queeny Nagar.
She was joined by women from self-help groups, members of the Velsao and Cansaulim panchayats, along with MLA Anton Vas, Sarpanch Savio Pereira and other residents.
“I am overwhelmed by the tremendous response I am receiving from the people, especially women,” Merciana Vas said.
“Despite their daily responsibilities of managing households and caring for children, many women have come forward to support me. I sincerely hope that the development work carried out will translate into a victory in the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections,” she added.
