OLD GOA
A ferry operating along the Ribandar-Chorao route broke down midway on Tuesday, leaving several commuters stranded for over two hours before being rescued.
According to information available, the incident occurred in the morning when the linkspan gave way just before it was to dock at the Chorao ramp.
“Due to this, the commuters were left stranded for over two hours. They were rescued only after a crane towed the ferry to the ramp,” former Chorao sarpanch Shrikrishna Haldankar informed The Goan.
He further said that at the recent Gram Sabha on July 23, villagers had urged the local MLA to look into the issue of the frequent breakdown of ferries plying along the Ribandar-Chorao route.
“The MLA is part of the government and the least that he can do is provide good ferry services to the Chorao locals,” Haldankar informed while stating that the ferries which are operational along the route are very old.
“We need new ferries along the route as it is an essential service for the people of Chorao. And it is the duty of the local MLA to ensure that better ferries are provided along the route,” Haldankar said.
Haldankar further said that they had also demanded that a system be put in place to ensure smooth functioning of ferries and also traffic police to be posted for the same.
“However, that is not the case due to which there is total chaos while entering and exiting which results in valuable time being lost in the process,” Haldankar said.
Social worker Ashwin Chodankar said this incident has showed how the Chorao locals suffer due to such incidents.
“The local MLA has to take interest in this issue and see to it that good ferries are operated along the route. Of the five ferries plying, only three are good but two are ill-maintained,” Chodankar informed.
