I am appalled to read that Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is adamant on going ahead with the tender process to build the viewing towers atop the piers of the new Zuari cable-stayed bridge with a cafe/restaurant as a tourist attraction.
In this context, I wish to highlight the consequences of going ahead with this highly risky project due to the following reasons: The last severe cyclone Tauktae in May 2021 that battered the west coast of India, including Goa, is a testimony of the future natural calamities that are predicted to occur particularly during the annual monsoon season. Such cyclones of intense severity bring devastation to life and property, needless to mention the damage to the infrastructure. In view of the global climate change, Goa is not immune to natural disasters.
From an engineering angle, I opine that the piers of the bridge should not be over-stressed with the additional weight of the viewing towers which will compromise the structural integrity of the piers of the cable stayed bridge. Imagine the scenario of an umbrella which we are unable to hold steady during a violent storm.
The State of Goa is located on the seismic fault-line. In case of earthquakes and/or high velocity cyclonic storms, the towers will in all probability topple down. In such an event, the piers of the bridge will pull down the entire stretch of the cable-stayed bridge endangering the lives of the people. I do not wish that the iconic Zuari bridge becomes a casualty of egoistic desires of a few people. Sorry to over-emphasize my fears. God forbid, in the event of the towers toppling down into the river, it will be a catastrophic disaster.
The cost of building the towers can be optimally utilized for regular maintenance of the bridge post guarantee period, so that the lifespan of the bridge can be extended for a maximum period. Any iconic edifice like the Zuari bridge has to definitely outlive our generation. Since this bridge is toll-free, the PWD can bank this money, or may be develop a promenade along the banks of the river Zuari, similar to the promenade in Panjim along the Mandovi river.
Instead of executing this grandiose plan of viewing towers, the rural road network needs to be upgraded, eliminating the black-spots and bottle-necks wherever possible. Road engineering has to be done on a scientific basis to prevent road accidents like the one that snuffed the life of an eminent entrepreneur Cyrus Mistry in September 2022 in Palghar due to the faulty road engineering.
The current fiscal situation of Goa is in dire straits due to various factors. Hence it would be imprudent to spend lavishly on this grandiose plan at the risk of the general public. Let us enjoy the beauty of nature being on terra firma instead of, from the viewing towers!
Lastly, I would like to point out that the collapse of the cable-stayed bridge in Bihar on June 4, 2023, should be an eye opener to the concerned authorities who are hell bent on having the viewing towers on the piers of the Zuari bridge.
I hope MoRTH will review their decision on their risky project, and may conventional wisdom prevail.
