MARGAO: Despite years of local protests, the approach roads for the Sinquetim-Benaulim bridge are nearing completion, indicating that the bridge might soon be open to traffic.
Earlier, the locals had vehemently opposed the bridge and staged protests at the construction site, which had remained unfinished for the past decade. However, the PWD recently resumed work, completing the remaining portion under police supervision. Locals expressed their unanimous opposition to the bridge during a public meeting held earlier.
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The bridge, initially proposed by former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, was put on hold by the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in 2012.
The PWD officials have stated that approximately Rs four crore has been spent on completing the project.
In response to inquiries about their future course of action with the impending inauguration of the bridge, Navelim resident George Barretto said, “When we met the PWD Minister, we laid down three conditions. Firstly, a barrier must be installed to prohibit heavy vehicles from using the bridge. Secondly, no road widening should be permitted. If these conditions are not met, we will not allow the bridge to be opened.”
He further added that the third condition was that former MLA Alemao should not be present at the inauguration ceremony; otherwise, locals would protest with black flags at the site.
Avertano Furtado, former Navelim MLA, who also led the protests against the bridge, highlighted that the Sinquetim bridge is 12 metres wide, while the village roads are only four metres wide, leading to potential traffic bottlenecks. He questioned the necessity of the bridge when Navelim is already well-connected through the Western Bypass and the Telaulim bridge.
