PANAJI
With the Atal Setu repair work not getting completed within the scheduled period, the North Goa District Magistrate has extended closure of the Atal Setu Arm from Merces Circle for another 25 days to continue with the repair work.According to the order, the closure is effective from midnight of November 21 and 22 till the midnight of December 15 and 16.
This stretch of the bridge was closed on August 12 but after 100 days, the repair work on this part of the bridge is still in progress.
When asked about the delay, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar said an extension had been given as the repair work was delayed due to rains and some technical problems.
"Due to technical faults, the repair work has not been completed in time. Also, rains have delayed the work,” said Pauskar.
Pausakar said an extension is needed for quality work to be done, as any hurry would cause further problems.
It may be noted that ther Atal Setu has been closed for repair three times in two years, since it was inaugurated in 2019 at a cost of Rs 581 crore.
There were faults in the approach roads at Merces and the bridge was closed for repair at that time. The bridge was later closed to repair potholes.
Incidentally, work on the Panaji arm of the Atal Setu, which was to be have been fully completed in 2019, is still incomplete.
