VASCO
The collapse of the scaffolding at the new Zuari bridge flyover construction site in Santrant-Cortalim has sent shock waves across Cortalim village, with people demanding that the government take steps to ensure the safety of motorists travelling along the adjacent highway, barely metres from the construction site.
Cortalim Deputy Sarpanch Raymond De Sa said the government and PWD must depute a team to probe the incident and ensure the safety of motorists.
“DBL must first look into the safety of its own employees and also of motorists and commuters travelling on the highway,” said De Sa.
“Today, we are fortunate that the huge scaffolding fell towards the hill and had it fallen towards the road, we would surely see many more casualties as there are many vehicles passing by on the road.”
“I appeal to the government and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar to depute a team at the site for the safety of people while work on the new Zuari Bridge is being carried
out,” said De Sa.
The incident has also raised the issue of traffic diversion while work on the new Zuari Bridge is underway.
“It’s time the PWD goes ahead with the traffic diversion along a new service road, as assured earlier. I had gone for a high-level meeting with the PWD and TCP on this issue and some farmers had even agreed to hand over their lands for the service road, provided their previous settlements were cleared but nothing has happened till date,” said former Cortalim panch and local Congress leader Devendra Kenkre.
“It’s not too late and the government must look at this incident as a warning and initiate prompt measures for the safety of motorists and commuters moving along the adjacent highway,” Kenkre added.
