South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes on Monday raised the issue of the reconstruction of the demolished footbridge at Margao Railway Station with the Konkan Railway Executive Director Joseph George and senior official Baban Ghatge.
The old footbridge is in the process of demolition, which has no doubt caused immense hardships to passengers and locals who traditionally used the bridge to cross over from Aquem side to Navelim side.
The MP took up the footbridge issue with the KRC after he was approached by the Margao Congress convenor Savio Coutinho since there is no confirmed timeline for its reconstruction.
While the Executive Director of KRC showed the delegation comprehensive plans for the development of the footbridge along with station buildings on either side, the Congress delegation took exception to the comprehensive plans, which being a huge project and with unknown sources of funding (as mentioned by the Executive Director himself), the completion of the much required bridge may take a very long time.
Upon the suggestion of the MP, the the KRC authorities agreed to explore possibilities of executing the footbridge construction first.
The Margao Congress Block Convener strongly criticised the government for not getting the railways arrange for reconstruction plans prior to the demolition.
MP Captain Viriato Fernandes and Margao Congress Block Convener Savio Coutinho assured that they would consistently follow up with this matter to ensure early completion of the footbridge.
