the goan I network
OLD GOA
Residents of Divar island have been facing a harrowing time due to frequent breakdowns of ferries on the two routes at Ribandar and Old Goa. They have now renewed their demand for the construction of a bridge connecting the island, to permanently alleviate sufferings of the people.
Cumbarjua MGP block president Narayan Verlekar who lives on the island informed that on Wednesday one of the ferries broke down on the Old Goa route and on Thursday, one ferry broke down on the Ribandar route, putting people to great hardship, particularly students and office-goers.
“On Wednesday, I was caught up in a long queue and it took me more than an hour to cross to the mainland,” Verlekar said.
“Breakdowns of ferries have become a regular affair and the only solution is to construct a bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Old ferries are plied along these two routes and there is no standby ferry to replace the same in case of breakdowns,” Verlekar said, while renewing his demand for a bridge to the island.
Another local Chillaya Sawant also supported the demand and said people are unnecessarily made to suffer in the absence of a bridge, which was promised by the then chief minister late Parrikar. “Why is the government not showing empathy towards Divar locals who are made to suffer on a daily basis as long queues are witnessed whenever a ferry breaks down,” said Sawant.
Sao Mathias sarpanch Sadanand Phadte also made case for a bridge.
