TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s firm assurance to Shiroda villagers to take up the Shiroda-Rachol bridge came up for strong opposition from the Rachol side of river Zuari.
Fr Victor Ferrao joined the chorus of opposition against the proposed bridge, demanding to know why the government wants to bulldoze its way with the bridge when people of Rachol have on more than one occasion opposed the bridge. “I fail to understand why the government is so adamant in pursuing the bridge. I am at a loss to understand why the government is hell bent in going against the wishes of the people of Rachol. Why the government is silent on any dialogue with the affected people,” Fr Victor asked, while reminding the government that people of Rachol have been opposing the proposed bridge go protect their rich heritage and history. “No government has the right to do away with the historical values of a village,” he asserted.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco said there is no question of the bridge becoming a reality over river Zuari. “The government can take the bridge connecting Shiroda to Fatorda, but not through Raia or Rachol. Villagers of Raia and Rachol are firm in their opposition to the bridge. Even if the CM comes out with the best lollilop, we will not agree for the bridge,” Reginaldo said.
Sarpanchas of Raia and Rachol ruled out any reconsideration to the opposition to the proposed bridge. Rachol Sarpanch Joseph Vaz said the village Panchayat and the gram sabha had on several occasions opposed the bridge and the stand remains unchanged. “It is very easy for the chief Minister to make a statement, but people of Rachol will never agree for the proposed bridge,” he added.
Raia Sarpanch Xavier Fernandes said there is no guarantee that whatever has been assured by the government will be honoured in the future. “Today, they say that the bridge will be restricted only to light vehicles. We do not know what will happen in the future when some other government will be ruling the state,” he added.
