MARGAO
Heavy pre-monsoon rains caused damage in Margao and the Salcete countryside, leading to the closure of Rawanfond bridge for all vehicles for the past 24 hours. This happened after a section of the road embankment gave way on Tuesday.
Officials and residents are worried because a water pipeline runs along the embankment, supplying water to Rawanfond and parts of Navelim.
Any further collapse could damage this pipeline. There is also an electric pole near the damaged area, which could be harmed if the embankment falls more.
It is believed the partial collapse happened due to the construction of a column for the new four-lane Rawanfond bridge.
After the incident on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered officials from the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, the Public Works Department (PWD), and the government’s consultant to visit the site and take urgent action.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Margao Civic Chief Damu Shirodkar inspected the site with officials from various agencies. He said officials are working quickly to allow at least one-way traffic on the bridge soon.
Margao Police station in-charge, PI Suraj Samant, said late Wednesday that the bridge remains closed as a safety precaution.
Earlier, the Traffic Superintendent had issued a notice warning of possible landslides due to the heavy rain near Rawanfond, Margao.
