TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The commissioning of the Assolna-Cavelossim bridge scheduled on February 16 stands postponed again and is likely to be thrown open for traffic later this month if the election code of conduct does not come into force by then.
Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva said the bridge inauguration stands postponed since work on the approach road on the Cavelossim side of the bridge has just begun. “The work is expected to take some days. We hope to open the bridge later this month after the road widening work is completed”, he said.
Meanwhile, work on the road widening on the Cavelossim ferry/bridge road began today, with a number of compound walls razed to the ground by the authorities.
The Benaulim MLA made his presence felt after objections were raised over the demolition, but Caitu told the people that the land in question was acquired by the government in the 80s, even as the demolition operation came in for criticism from local residents.
While the locals have been demanding that the government restrict the road widening to six meters, the local MLA has said though the government has acquired land for a 10-meter road, the PWD would only build a six-meter wide road with a drainage facility.
Meanwhile, Goans for Goa has said the people of Cavelossim on the ferry road will boycott the bridge inauguration if the road is built seven meters wide against their sentiments. He said the GFG has made a representation to the Vigilance Department to inquire into the Cavelossim ferry road tender, saying the tender appears too high for a small span of road.
GFG President Kennedy Afonso said the residents will again call the Benaulim MLA clarifying that it has taken up the issue only because the people of Cavelossim had given a signed memorandum to them to help them in their issue. “GFG is not for or against any government, and is not a front for any MLA or minister”, he added.
