FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Residents of Navelim have again vocalised their opposition to the bridge being constructed at Sinquetim, alleging that they have been kept in the dark about the construction work. Considering their concerns about the project, the authorities concerned should have informed the local body and the people before commencing the work, said local leaders.
They also demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Minister for the Public Works Department Nilesh Cabral intervene and stop the ongoing work, failing which, they said they would launch an agitation.
Locals worry that several families will lose their land to the ‘unnecessary’ bridge project.
“The work on the bridge was stopped when residents raised objections before the Chief Minister in the past; however, we have suddenly realised that the construction of the bridge has re-started,” said George Barreto, a local leader.
He questioned the authorities over the need for the bridge, which has been strongly opposed by people from both constituencies, Navelim and Benaulim.
“This will be the third bridge here, as two have already been constructed for the Western Bypass project. There is no need for a third bridge, which will affect
the locals very badly,”
said Barreto.
Former MLA of Navelim constituency Avertano Furtado said that the people of Sinquetim have been opposing this bridge since 2010, when the construction began.
“Even former CM Manohar Parrikar was of the opinion that the bridge was not feasible and had ordered that the project be scrapped, when he had personally inspected the site,” said Furtado.
Adv. Byron Rodrigues from Benaulim added, “People had even challenged the matter in court but the authorities managed to manipulate things and obtain permission. The authorities have already destroyed the mangroves here, violating environmental laws. The bridge is not viable at all.”
