PANJIM: Following criticism from various quarters, the Government has decided to postpone the inauguration of the third Mandovi Bridge on January 12 due to “unavailability” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) vice-chairman Siddharth Kuncoliencar told reporters that the PM is busy with the BJP national executive on January 12.
“The BJP National Executive will be held in New Delhi and as such the Prime Minister as well as other leaders of the national and State BJP will be busy with the meeting and hence we have decided to postpone the date,” Kunkoliencar told reporters in the city.
Kunkoliencar said though the inauguration has been postponed the GSIDC will be ready with all preparations by January 12.
“It has just been delayed due to PM’s unavailability. But once we get the dates from PM we will inaugurate the bridge,” he said.
The GSIDC vice-chairman said that the entire work on the bridge would be completed by January 12.
When pointed towards the Congress’ criticism on inauguration of incomplete bridge, Kuncoliencar said ‘the experts are comfortable with it so what is the issue?’
“The L&T engineers are doing all the required tests and if they are ready with the inauguration date I don’t see any reason to block it,” he said.
On mining dependents announcing they would show black flags to PM Modi during his visit for inauguration, Kuncoliencar said, there is no requirement of any such protest.
“Personally, I am sympathetic towards mining dependents and the BJP at the State as well as the Centre is seized of the matter and considering various options to resolve the issue. Hence I feel there is no need to protest,” he said.
It may be recalled that Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar said that inaugurating an incomplete bridge would put the lives of people at risk and that they would oppose its inauguration on January 12.
Curtorim’s Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Vaz has also written to Goa’s CM to rescind his announcement about the inauguration of the new bridge. Reginaldo questioned government’s hurry in inaugurating the Rs 860 cr bridge.
The Goa mining dependents were also planning to stage a black flag demonstration in the city had the PM come to inaugurate the bridge.
