CANACONA
Concerns have been raised over the quality of road surfaces at two bridges along the 7.7 km Manohar Parrikar Canacona Bypass (MPCB), as both bridges on the Talpona River, Galgibaga River and Maxem Creek are presently undergoing repairs.
Recently, the joint between the two spans on the western side of Galgibaga bridge opened up, exposing the steel rods in such a way, that the protruding iron bars had posed a danger to motorists and their vehicles.
“This same issue has been recurring for the third time and we believe this is due to the bad and substandard work initially carried out on the bridge,” alleged Seby Barretto of Galgibaga.
After locals raised hue and cry, the PWD got the contractor to repair the damaged portion a few days ago, but traffic barricades placed to divert traffic are still lying at the site.
The Galgibaga bridge is also plagued with other problems.
Railings on the bridge, which were meant to be anti-corrosive, have begun to rust and incidentally, a similar situation prevails at the Talpona bridge. Authorities were compelled to reapply anti-corrosive paint for a second time since the bypass was inaugurated two years ago.
A pedestrian track on either side of the bridge, which is being used as a walking track, has iron rods protruding at many places.
Besides, residents of Galgibaga have often complained of rainwater gushing down the bridge and flooding their houses in the area during the rainy season.
The Talpona bridge has also suffered from problems of its own.
Joints on both lanes have developed wide cracks and authorities have been forced to take up repairs and traffic has been blocked on one lane of both sides of the bridge.
Motorists have also complained of uneven surfaces along the 7.7 km MPCB, giving a bumpy ride along the route.
The four-lane MPCB between Char-rasta and Maxem, which had been built and inaugurated amid much fanfare, provides a scenic view along coastal Canacona taluka.
While the State government claimed the MPCB has been an engineering marvel, opposition parties have alleged a scam in the project.
Recently, the joint between the two spans on the western side of Galgibaga bridge opened up, exposing the steel rods in such a way, that the protruding iron bars had posed a danger to motorists and their vehicles.
“This same issue has been recurring for the third time and we believe this is due to the bad and substandard work initially carried out on the bridge,” alleged Seby Barretto of Galgibaga.
After locals raised hue and cry, the PWD got the contractor to repair the damaged portion a few days ago, but traffic barricades placed to divert traffic are still lying at the site.
The Galgibaga bridge is also plagued with other problems.
Railings on the bridge, which were meant to be anti-corrosive, have begun to rust and incidentally, a similar situation prevails at the Talpona bridge. Authorities were compelled to reapply anti-corrosive paint for a second time since the bypass was inaugurated two years ago.
A pedestrian track on either side of the bridge, which is being used as a walking track, has iron rods protruding at many places.
Besides, residents of Galgibaga have often complained of rainwater gushing down the bridge and flooding their houses in the area during the rainy season.
The Talpona bridge has also suffered from problems of its own.
Joints on both lanes have developed wide cracks and authorities have been forced to take up repairs and traffic has been blocked on one lane of both sides of the bridge.
Motorists have also complained of uneven surfaces along the 7.7 km MPCB, giving a bumpy ride along the route.
The four-lane MPCB between Char-rasta and Maxem, which had been built and inaugurated amid much fanfare, provides a scenic view along coastal Canacona taluka.
While the State government claimed the MPCB has been an engineering marvel, opposition parties have alleged a scam in the project.
