Team Herald
MARGAO: Orixtt Porjecho Awaz has alleged that the Bali Bridge is on the verge of collapse and the authorities were trying to fix it at the last minute in view of the DefExpo.
“The day we were called by the South Goa Collector for a meeting at his office with the DefExpo Chief Cmdr MD Singh, an OPA member had asked Singh if they had the assessment report of the two frail bridges that linked Bali to the DefExpo site. He was taken aback when questioned,” said Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, OPA spokesperson.
He continued, “Now with the Bali Bridge on the verge of collape, one can imagine the plight of the people who have to commute across the bridge daily. Since it will be difficult to get the new bridge at Bali ready for the DefExpo, heavy traffic could be diverted via Betul, where another weak bridge could be used. If that collapses, then there could be total chaos.
He further said, “I request the residents of Betul, Canaguinim, Khola, Agonda, Palolem and other parts of Canacona and Salcete to support OPA and let the government know that we will not allow heavy traffic to be diverted via Betul.”
OPA has also claimed that the work underway at the DefExpo site had taken a toll on the workers.
“Yesterday evening, OPA members who were keeping a vigil at the site were shocked to notice thick smoke engulf the DefExpo site and people, including the security guards, running around. We later learnt that there was an accident and a fire broke out, injuring some labourers,” said Freddy.
