03 Sep 2019  |   05:24am IST

Chorao-Ribandar Bridge: CM holds meet with officers on land procurement

Team Herald 


BICHOLIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday held a meeting with the officials with regards to procuring land for the Chorao-Ribandar Bridge. 

Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate, Mayem MLA Pravin Zantye, North Goa Collector R Menaka, GSIDC MD Shrinat Kotwale, Sudin Natu and officers of GSIDC and PWD Div 13 attended the meeting.

During the meeting the Chief Minister took stock of the various issues and directed the officers to fast track the process to procure land in a time-bound manner. As per the earlier government announcement, the sale deed to purchase land under procurement policy is vetted by the Law Department and the government has sanctioned Rs 13.03 crore for purchasing land.

It is pertinent to note that the Chorao-Ribandar bridge is a long pending demand of the people not only from Chorao but also from Mayem, Bicholim and other areas. The proposed bridge will serve as a link between Mayem constituency and Ribandar.

The United Citizens of Chorao (UCC) has been demanding this bridge for a long time.

“If this bridge is constructed it will help the people of Chorao, Bicholim and nearby areas. The distance between Chorao and Panjim will be reduced to just 15 minutes,” a resident of Chorao added.

The Congress government had laid two foundation stones before the 2012 elections. The first was at Orando-Chorao then another at Divar ferry point. 

The locals have demanded that there should be two ferries stationed on the Chorao side even at night so that people could use it during emergency. 

“During emergency, especially at night the nearest place is Panjim and if there is no ferry we have to take the sick person to Bicholim PHC,” they added.

The people from Chorao, Bicholim and Mayem are affected with the less number of ferries. If this bridge becomes a reality it will be a boon to the residents.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar