Poinguinim bridge nears completion
Weak riverbanks brought to the attention of Water Resources Department
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
Work on the Poinguinim bridge, an important link along the NH17 highway between Goa and Karnataka, is in its final stages.
It may be recalled that the monsoons had forced workers to stop construction work on the three-span bridge over the River Galgibaga at Poinguinim bazaar.
“Erection of pillars was also taken up late last year, due to which the casting of slab had to be postponed. The work is now nearing completion,” informed a PWD source at the site.
The existing Portuguese-era culvert which links the NH17 highway at Poinguinim bazaar is very narrow. PWD sources added that the culvert had gone weak following the 2009 Canacona flash floods.
The PWD has taken up the task to construct a new bridge at the cost of Rs 1.74 crore and the work is likely to be completed before the next monsoon.
Other work is also expected in the area, with sources at the site stating that the nearby river bank has also gone weak.
“The job of building protection walls along river banks does not come under the purview of PWD (highways) and the Water Resource Department has been suitably advised in the matter,” the source said.
The electricity department has also been requested to shift the electricity poles which are now located at the centre of the approach road to the newly-constructed bridge.
