the goan I network
VALPOI
Two home guards have been deployed on the bridge at Sawarde in Sattari during school hours, after Health Minister and local MLA Vishwajeet Rane and locals expressed concern about the dangers faced by schoolchildren and other pedestrians along the narrow bridge.
Students of the Government High School at Sawarde-Sattari have been crossing the narrow bridge, which was constructed almost four decades back, on the Mhadei river.
Since the bridge is narrow, students are forced to wait on either side of the bridge or at the edge of the bridge, while vehicles pass by and locals feared that this could pose a threat to schoolchildren.
Locals then demanded the posting of some guards on the bridge, to stop vehicles from moving while students are crossing the bridge.
Responding to their concerns, Rane directed Valpoi Police Inspector Shivram Vaigankar to deploy staff as early as possible so that students and other pedestrians should not be under any danger while crossing the bridge. PI Vaigankar deployed two home guards on the bridge to regulate traffic especially during school hours.
PI Vaigankar told The Goan that the bridge is very narrow and it was impossible for people and vehicles to moving along the bridge at the same time.
“Two guards have been directed not to allow any vehicle while students and pedestrians crossing the bridge,” said PI Vaigankar.
When contacted, Rane said the bridge was constructed almost 40 years back and has now been found to be inadequate.
“The situation has now changed and this narrow bridge is an inconvenience to people residing near a bridge. We have a proposal to construct new bridge at a cost of almost Rs 25 crore. This proposal has been sent to the government for approval and we hope it is sanction some time soon,” said Rane.
