MARGAO
PWD officials are yet to descend at the bridge construction site to cover and protect the steel rods protruding out from one of the spans from the rain. Looks like the PWD has completely abandoned the bridge and has no plans to revive the project even in future.When The Goan team visited Sinquetim on the Navelim side of the partly constructed bridge, steel rods protruding from the columns on the Navelim and Benaulim side of the bridge were found exposed to the rain. When contacted, a PWD official explained that since the main span of the bridge is complete, there s no other span which requires covering with plastic or other material. This is the probably the third year the iron rods are exposed to rains. Inquiries by The Goan have revealed that since the MLAs of Navelim, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and his Benaulim counterpart Caitu Silva brought the bridge work to a complete halt, it is no more on the agenda of the present dispensation and the PWD.While many say the construction of the bridge may be revived in the event of a change in fortunes of the politician, PWD officials in private say the project has now become an old chapter since the time the present government ordered complete halt of the works.It is learnt that the PWD has already cleared payments of around Rs 3.8 crore due to the contractor, M V Rao, while another bill amounting to Rs 30 lakh has been forwarded to PWD higher-ups for approval. The bridge was estimated to cost around Rs 9 core, including the approach roads.The bridge was one of Churchill s three dream bridges over Sal. However, while the Assolna-Cavelossim and Varca-Telaulim bridge have been commissioned, the Navelim-Benaulim bridge has turned controversial from day one with the project coming under strong opposition from local residents of Sinquetim.
