the goan I network
PERNEM
Acting on a report in The Goan highlighting the plight of motorists travelling on the old and weakened Portuguese-era bridge, GSIDC and other officials inspected the link on Tuesday and plans are afoot to build a new one.
The bridge, which was constructed in 1905 near the new bus stand at Pernem, has developed cracks at various places and motorists fear it could collapse any time.
People in Pernem have been requesting officials to inspect the bridge as soon as possible and to take steps to construct a new one in its place.
After the issue was reported in The Goan, Tourism Minister and Pernem MLA Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar took cognizance of the matter and directed PWD (Road Division) officials to inspect the bridge.
Accordingly, PWD officials decided to handover the task to the GSIDC after which a team of officials of the corporation comprising Jude Carvalho, Sonia Mhamal, social worker Prakash Kambli, PWD officials and others inspected the weak bridge on Tuesday.
Pernem Municipal Council Vice-Chairperson Prashant Gadekar thanked the media for highlighting the issue and drawing the attention of the authorities.
“This is an important bridge which connects the city, but it was completely ignored by previous MLAs. However, the present MLA Babu Ajgaonkar took the matter seriously and has started the process to build a new bridge,” said Gadekar.
GSIDC officials later informed reporters that four small bridges will also be constructed in Varkhand, Kasarvane and Mopa in Pernem constituency.
