BICHOLIM
Chorao United Association (CAU) has planned a hunger strike at Chorao-Madel ferry point on September 28, to protest against the State government's delay in starting work on the proposed Chodan-Ribandar bridge.
“This Chodan-Ribandar bridge was included in the BJP manifesto before the 2012 assembly elections,” said CAU President Shrikrishna Haldankar, while addressing a news conference in Bicholim on Friday evening.
“The State government has been delaying the project for reasons unknown to us. The BJP had assured to lay the foundation stone of this bridge within two years of coming to power. However, even the initial work has not started so far,” he added.
Haldankar also accused the government of being biased against residents of the island.
“The construction of the third Mandovi bridge, Khandepar bridge and Terekhol Bridge has started with much enthusiasm, even though these bridges were not mentioned in the BJP agenda.”
Haldankar informed media persons that the hunger strike would begin at 8 am and will end at 6 pm.
“Our hunger strike will not in any way obstruct the Chodan-Ribandar ferry service and ferries will ply normally along the route,” assured Haldankar.
The CAU has appealed to people of Mayem, Chorao, Madel and other surrounding areas to participate in the hunger strike to push the government to start work on the Chodan-Ribandar bridge.
Others present at the news conference included Subhash Kinalkar, Ashish Chodankar and Tulshidas Fadte.
