I read the updated news report on the six-lane Zuari Bridge (Voice of Goa page 3 / Herald dated January 27).
Goa does not need Special Status in the form of special financial packages for destroying existing villages. Is Goa going to get a special financial status package to complete the unwanted six- lane Zuari river bridge? Do we need a new six-lane Zuari bridge for the north-south expressway/urban road for promoting the Mopa airport & SEZ/real estate development projects? Or do we urgently need a simple parallel Zuari bridge without creating new problems? The unsustainable projects have the potential to destroy the unique and beautiful villages instead of protecting Goa. Can we allow this to happen?
It appears that the bridge alignment shown in the Regional Plan for Goa -2021 village maps is different from the bridge alignment for the new six-lane Zuari bridge. Therefore, there is a need to revise the road layout plans of villages for the Zuari bridge connectivity. The revised Regional Plan for Goa -2021 village maps should be immediately sent to the village panchayats for approval (or otherwise) from the villagers for the signature six-lane bridge and supporting projects. Goa is a small rural –urban state and not a metropolitan city like Mumbai.
Wesley Edward Pereira, Raia
