After decades, wisdom dawned to provide a foot overbridge at Bambolim on NH-66. It would help those visiting the ‘Fulancho Khuris’ (the Cross of Flowers), also known as the Miraculous Cross, and the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour Hospital. The 60-metre long, foot overbridge would have elevators, escalators and stairways and washrooms at the ground level. Reportedly, on Oct 25, the night traffic was diverted to install the final phase of the overbridge. Due to a technical glitch, presumably deflection in the bridge’s pipe ring assembly, the work will be carried out on Nov 1 (TGE Oct 26). The recently built 5.1 km long, six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim cost Rs 641 crore and consists of spans, piers, steel, cement, concrete, asphalt etc. While the Bambolim overbridge is dominantly of steel over reinforced concrete pillars and built at Rs 100 crore. If we interpolate, by considering the cost of the Porvorim corridor, then the 60-metre overbridge would cost Rs 7.5 crore. Factoring in other expenses, if any, the budget may not exceed Rs 20 crore. This is one-fifth of the Rs 100 crore spent. Go figure, where the Rs 80 crore has been ‘spent.’
SRIDHAR D IYER, Caranzalem
