MARGAO
Expressing concern over the stability of the decades old Assolna bridge over river Sal, the gram sabha of Assolna village panchayat on Sunday has called for a structural stability test on the bridge by the PWD on utmost priority.
The gram sabha members have also called upon the PWD to remove the steel debris that continue to lie in the river Sal under the newly-built Assolna-Cavelossim bridge. These, the members said, were hampering the navigation of boats in river Sal.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Xavier Almeida discussed the fate of the Assolna bridge after members expressed concern over the structural stability of the decades old bridge.
Members said the growth of plants and vegetation on the bridge could be seen while navigating in the river and demanded that the PWD conduct the stability test of the structure.
They pointed out that any damage to the bridge over river Sal near the NUSI Maritime Academy may put the villagers of Assolna,
Ambelim, Velim and other villages to great hardships as they would have no option but to take the national highway at Cuncolim or travel via the coastal belt.
The bridge, sources said, had undergone major repairs a couple of years ago and members have demanded that the PWD conduct a test to determine its structural stability.
As far as the Assolna-Cavelossim bridge is concerned, members pointed that fishermen have been facing hardships to cast their fishing nets and also navigate under the bridge as the steel debris haven’t been cleared by the authorities concerned.
Members pointed out it was a decade ago the government had commissioned the bridge, but the debris which were dumped in the river Sal have not been cleared till date, causing hardships to the traditional fishermen.
The gram sabha also discussed the issue of illegal gaddas operating in the Assolna market, with members questioning the chair over the delay in removing the structures.
