Mandovi bridge opened, christened Atal Setu

the goan I network

PANAJI   

Both Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar took the opportunity to target the anti-development sentiment of Goa’s civil society urging for more positivity towards ‘development’ at the inaugural ceremony of the 5.1-kilometer-long third Mandovi Bridge on Sunday.   

The state-of-the-art cable-stayed bridge is however expected to be thrown open for traffic only on Tuesday. The government has decided to keep the bridge open for pedestrians and a look-over for the Goan public on Monday.   

The bridge is executed by the GSIDC (Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation) by contracting it to Indian tech major Larsen and Toubro. Parrikar in his first public address since October due to his ailment opened his speech with the “how is the Josh” barb and appealed to Goans to inculcate a more “positive approach” towards development.   

“People have the mentality of opposing each and every project. I will only say to Goans that ‘be positive’,” Parrikar said in his short speech.   

The bridge, named as ‘Atal Setu’ putting at rest the row over what name it should get, was inaugurated by Gadkari even as a large number of people gathered on it to witness the inauguration ceremony. Parrikar also gave credit to the Central government, with whose help he said this development of Rs 25,000 crore has happened in Goa. It would have otherwise taken another 14 years for the same development if it was done by the State on its own.   

“I can see on social media some people are unnecessarily criticising the project. They are saying that the bridge is unnecessary wastage of money. They should remember that petrol of the people will be saved due to this bridge,” Parrikar said, adding that it is built without damage to the environment.   

“Only 17 trees have been cut for this bridge”, he said.   

Parrikar also quoted former American J F Kennedy’s statement ‘American roads are not good because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads’ to underscore the role of ‘good roads’ which is the key for progress. PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar, Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, GSIDC chairman Deepak Prabhu Pawaskar also spoke on the occasion.   

Meanwhile, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco was the only MLA from the Opposition Congress who attended the opening ceremony of the bridge.   

Gadkari praises CM’s ‘will power’  

PANAJI: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar came in for praise from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said Parrikar’s ‘will power’ was responsible for the completion of the State-of-the-art bridge.   

“Parrikar has overcome all hurdles against the construction of the bridge with his will power. Without compromising with quality the government has done speedy work,” Gadkari said, adding that he has given Goa corruption-free governance.   

Gadkari also said, Parrikar is sensitive towards all issues in Goa like mining. He said, the chief minister often talks about the solutions to these problems.   

Stating that Goa has the potential for developing water transport Gadkari, however, lamented that this mode of transport in the State was not gaining momentum and works like dredging, jetties for which money is sanctioned can only be completed with the cooperation of Goa government.