The Ministry of road transport and highways has issued a new tender for construction of twin towers with a revolving observatory on top of the new 8 lane Zuari bridge. The towers are planned as a tourist attraction and revenue generators ; according to Nitin Gadkari it will be a unique structure unlike anything else in the world, why he says it will be one better than the Eiffel tower. Do we really need such eyeball grabbing structures which are basically being put up for the sole benefit of tourists from other states ? Moreover the proposed revolving restaurant and viewing deck is going to generate massive vehicular traffic and with no thought for parking plan in place, it would choke up the Margao- Panjim arterial road. The bridge foundations have already impacted riverine life and the livelihood of traditional fishermen dependent on the Zuari. No rigorous environmental impact assessment has been done for the bridge and the proposed towers. The sarkar should first concentrate on fulfilling the rudimentary needs of Goans like 'bijli', 'paani' and 'sadak' plus rein in illegal building activity rampant in the state.
