TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao’s dream Assolna-Cavelossim bridge over river Sal is finally complete in all respects.
While work on the bridge illumination is in progress, the bridge will be commissioned by December upon widening of the approach road to the Cavelossim side of the bridge.
“The bridge is finally complete in all respects. The bridge will be thrown open for traffic once the approach road to the Cavelossim side of the bridge is complete in the next few days”, Velim MLA Benjamin D’Silva told the media on the status of the bridge.
The Velim has now plans to construct a bypass, linking the bridge to Tariwaddo and Colleawaddo for the benefit of the people inhabiting the two areas in Assolna. “The two bypasses should fall in place in the near future since we have started the process of land acquisition”, the MLA said.
Replying to a question, the Velim MLA said work on the bridge had started upon the initiative of former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao. “People from both Cavelossim and Assolna side had organised a program swim for a bridge on the eve of the 2007 Assembly polls. After Churchill took over the reigns of the PWD portfolio, he took the initiative by laying the foundation stone for the much-needed bridge”, he said, adding that the bridge will not only help villagers from the two sides, but tourism as well.
PWD Executive engineer, V S Mardolkar, said work on the bridge was complete and only work on the widening of the approach road to the Cavelossim side remains incomplete. “We want to ensure that the bridge is opened for traffic with good approach roads. The approach road to the Assolna side of the bridge is complete”, he added.
Foundation stone for the 20-span 620-meter long bridge was laid by former PWD Minister in August 2009. The then government promised to complete the bridge within 30 months, but the deadline had expired in February last year, forcing the PWD to set a fresh deadline this year.
