SANGUEM: The construction work of the four-lane parallel bridge at Dando-Sanguem, which was stopped in March due to COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown, is yet to commence.
The locals, who were hoping for an early completion of the bridge now doubt when it will be completed. According to the sources, it appears that work won’t begin by the end of this year.
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The parallel bridge at Bendwada is being constructed by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) at a cost of around Rs 19 crore.
Earlier, the reasons behind the stoppage of work were attributed to coronavirus and shortage of labour, today the reasons are due to non-availability of funds for carrying out the pending work.
While the contractor has not been paid, the metal rods and other material which had been procured to undertake the construction work is seen getting rusted at the site.
Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar said that GSIDC Managing Director Srniet Kothwale informed him of the Corporation being plagued with paucity of funds and that no funds could be released to the contractor for the work done.
Gaonkar also claimed to have subsequently met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and apprised him of the situation but was given similar reasons behind the deadlock.
Gaonkar, however, expressed confidence that the Chief Minister would come up with some plan to fund the project work of the incomplete bridge.
The bridge at Bendwada is an important link for the people from Sanguem to travel to Curchorem and other areas. The old Portuguese regime bridge at Bendwada, which is presently in a weak condition, was used for several decades by the mining companies to transport mineral ore from various mines in operation at Sanguem.
