the goan I network
OLD GOA
The decision was announced by Sarpanch Prashant Harvalkar at the gram sabha on Sunday with the few people present for the meeting also giving their nod for the proposal.
Later, speaking to The Goan, Harvalkar informed that the proposal for the bridge would be sent to the GSIDC. “The islanders are facing a tough time due to frequent breakdown in ferry services. As it is people are losing time travelling in the ferries to the mainland and whenever a ferry breaks down, the situation only worsens,” he added while stating that students and office-goers are the worst affected.
Harvalkar then added that the ferries which are operational at Divar are over 30 years old, the annual passing of which is also not done. “I had personally requested the RND department to allot a third ferry but my request has been rejected,” he informed and stated that a bridge is the only solution for the problems faced by the Divarkars.
Harvalkar also informed the gram sabha that the panchayat has planned to build a commercial market complex near the panchayat consisting of six shops, permission for which has been already availed from the TCP. “The shops would then be allotted to the villagers on rent, thereby bringing in much revenue to the panchayat,” he added. The problem of water shortage was also raised with a local Agnelo Menezes questioning why water is released on alternate days. “When a new water pipeline was laid in Divar, an assurance was given that the water woes would be solved,” Menezes stated and asked why the situation has not improved.
Sarpanch Harvalkar informed that he has spoken to the PWD officials who have cited the problem of breakdown in the water pumping mechanism at Opa, due
to which the problem has occurred. “The issue is likely to be resolved by mid-May,”
he added.
Other issues like incomplete sports hall, development of sports ground, hot-mixing of left out roads in Sao Mathias, etc, were also discussed.
