Lays foundation stone for Dongorim-Firgulem bridge
MARGAO, MARCH 20
PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on Saturday firmly ruled out the question of tendering any apology as demanded by the G-7.
“I will apologise if I make any mistake. And, I apologise only to God and the people and not to these so-called leaders”, he told the people of Navelim after laying the foundation stone for the Dongorim-Firgulem bridge in Navelim Saturday morning.
Alemao, however, refrained from making any statements either against the NCP or members of the G-7.
In his address, the PWD Minister said the proposed Dongorim-Firgulem bridge will cost the exchequer Rs 60 lakh and will be completed by June.
Making an appeal to some individuals not to oppose construction of the bridge, he asserted that work on the bridge will not stop under any circumstances and promised to complete the work at the earliest. “Work on this bridge will not stop. I will go ahead as the bridge was part of my election manifesto”, Alemao told the people.
Refuting reports that the bridge is being constructed in violation of CRZ regulations, Alemao said the rivulet at Dongorim does not fall under the CRZ and appealed to the opponents to allow the bridge to take concrete shape.
Referring to his dream bridges over River Sal, Alemao said the Telaulim-Varca bridge will be completed in all respects in May or June this year. “Work on the Sinquetim-Benaulim bridge has started and the entire work will be completed in a few months time”, he added.
As far as the Assolna-Cavelossim bridge is concerned, the PWD Minister said work on the bridge is in full swing and the bridge will be thrown open for traffic in 2011. “These bridges will help the future generations and not me. Even the Supreme Court has ruled that bridges cannot be stopped. Bridges bridge the gap between villages and people and constitute development”, he added.
Former Sarpanch Bishut Themudo said the Dongorim bridge will prove useful for the residents of Firgulem and surrounding areas to come towards Navelim for religious and educational purposes. “Students and residents have to wade through waters to go to the educational institutions and Church services in Navelim. This bridge will do away the hardships of the people”, he added.
Navelim Sarpanch Paul Pereira said many politicians in the past had made promises to build the bridge, but in vain and complimented PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for laying the foundation stone for the bridge.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho, Fr Erodiano Fernandes were amongst the others who spoke on the occasion.
