FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
Pernem: The incomplete Keri Tiracol Bridge has turned into a white elephant for the locals.
The construction work of this project had commenced in February 2014 when former Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar had laid the foundation stone for this project. But after completion of 38 percent work, NGT issued a stop notice for this project when Goa Foundation challenged the CRZ clearance, which was granted by the GCZMA for construction of bridge across the river.
Since the other half of Tiracol village, where the bridge is supposed to be connecting according to the plan is densely populated with different plantations, the people of Tiracol had objected to this project thinking that this project would have led to deforestation.
Sources also said that this project costing around Rs 77 crore, is a cable bridge designed by a Singapore agency.
A local Ashik Gad said," The government should complete this project as soon as possible. People are already facing problems with the ferry service since the ferry breaks down anytime and the high & low tides also affects the ferry service. If the bridge sees the day of light then it will even help tourism".
The incomplete bridge has spoiled the beauty of the famous village that gets thousands of visitors. Keri Tiracol village is located on the borders of Goa Maharashtra and is popular for its beach and Ajoba Temple.
Interestingly, this bridge, which connects Kerim and Tiracol, the two areas which are separated from a geographical perspective but have one common village panchayat. Incidentally, other services such as electricity, water etc that is supplied to Tiracol is received from Maharashtra.
