PWD engineer says bridge is safe
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The pre-liberation era Assolna bridge over River Sal ~ which has withstood the test of times and served as an important link down South ~ will finally undergo repairs.
The PWD has decided to employ the “guniting” process to strengthen the bridge after inspection revealed corrosion of rods in one of the spans. “It is not a major repair. Our inspection revealed that rods in one span on the Chinchinim side of the bridge were corroded. We have decided to employ the guniting process,” informed PWD Assistant Engineer Rosario Pereira.
The entire work is estimated to cost the exchequer around Rs 14 lakh and work is likely to commence soon. “The PWD has not only tendered the work, but has also issued the work order to Bhatia company. Works should hopefully commence soon,” Pereira said.
When asked to comment on public apprehensions that the decades old bridge has turned weak and unsafe, Pereira allayed the apprehensions saying the bridge was safe for public use. “Except the repair work on one of the spans, our inspection has revealed that the bridge is safe. There should not be any cause for concern,” Pereira added.
The Assolna-Chinchinim bridge over River Sal serves as an important link for the villagers of Assolna, Ambelim, Chinchinim, besides Betul, Cabo-de-Rama and Agonda to travel to Margao.
The safety of the bridge had figured prominently at the gram sabha meetings of Assolna village panchayat in recent times, with villagers raising concerns over the safety of the bridge for want of repairs.
The PWD has decided to employ the “guniting” process to strengthen the bridge after inspection revealed corrosion of rods in one of the spans. “It is not a major repair. Our inspection revealed that rods in one span on the Chinchinim side of the bridge were corroded. We have decided to employ the guniting process,” informed PWD Assistant Engineer Rosario Pereira
