the goan I network
CANACONA
A driver was injured when a loaded container truck went off the Ordhafond bridge at Bhatpal and plunged several feet below into the dry Talpona riverbed in the wee hours Thursday morning.
The fallen vehicle also damaged the main pipeline supplying water to Poinguinim and Loliem villages.
According to sources, the incident took place at about 4.30 am when the loaded container headed towards Margao side rammed into the railings of the Ordhafond bridge. The vehicle then went off the bridge and plunged into the dry Talpona riverbed, damaging a pipeline line supplying water from Chapoli dam to the villages of Poinguinim and Loliem, while also causing considerable damage to the Portuguese-era bridge, which provides an important link between Karwar and Margao.
The driver sustained injuries and was shifted to Margao’s Hospicio Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Sources have informed that the closure of the Anmod Ghat has led to a sharp rise in traffic along the NH66 highway to and from Polem border, leading to several mishaps along the route. Concerns have also been raised over the structural integrity of the Ordhafond bridge following the mishap on Thursday, as it is the only route between Goa and Karnataka via Canacona taluka.
Meanwhile, the PWD (water-supply) already began repair work of the damaged pipeline and efforts were underway to restore water supply to the affected villages.
