PONDA: The Borim Bridge was in news recently, after a video of the structure shaking went viral on social media. This caused panic among the public who complained to their local representatives.
Following public complaint, Borim Sarpanch Bhavna Naik and panch members inspected the bridge and threatened an agitation if the bridge was not repaired immediately.
Subsequently, the bridge was repaired and the annual maintenance was also carried out. The cost of repair and annual maintenance this year was Rs 10 crore. Despite the repairs and the annual maintenance people still fear that the bridge might collapse any time.
The Borim locals and panchayat members question why the government doesn’t construct a second bridge at Borim to reduce the load on the existing one, when three bridges have been constructed on Mandovi and a second bridge is under construction on Zuvari.
The Borim bridge was inaugurated in the year 1986. Though the bridge is only around 35 years old, its condition is that of a 50-year-old structure. The life span of the bridge has come down greatly due to traffic overload after diversion of heavy vehicles from Cortalim Bridge ten years ago. National Highway officials say that there is a need to control the traffic to reduce the load on the bridge.
Meanwhile, National Highway sources said that an alternate bridge plan is ready and is awaiting Central government approval. It is learnt that many highway works in Goa are pending due to opposition and obstruction from the locals. Sources say that till the ongoing works are completed, the Central government is in no mood to approve new projects.
According to Borim Panch member Sunil Sawakar the Borim Bridge is overloaded as heavy vehicles are plying on the bridge day and night.
Thirty five years ago it was constructed at a cost of just Rs 3 crore. But now, the cost of repair alone is Rs 10 crore.
Sawakar said that the bridge might collapse any time due to overload. “This is a vital link between the people of North and South Goa. If the bridge collapses, commuters will face great hardship. In such case, the ferryboat service cannot be a substitute, as thousands of vehicles are plying on the bridge. Since past many years we are raising this issue continuously and Herald has also highlighted the issue. To reduce the load on Borim bridge, the old bailey bridge can be repaired and put to use,” Sawakar said.
A two-wheeler rider who regularly uses the bridge said, “It’s time to build another bridge before something untoward happens with the existing bridge. The bridge is being repaired and used regularly. Though the National Highway authorities say the bridge is safe, many people who use the bridge are fear that it cannot carry the current load of heavy vehicles.”
When contacted, highway officials and PWD engineers said that the bridge design is similar to that of the Zuari Bridge. According to the consultant, the condition of the bridge has not deteriorated and they are repairing it regularly and strengthening its structure with the external pre-stressing technique. The same method was used for the Zuari Bridge some years ago.
National Highway sources have that they are working on a new parallel bridge and bypass road for Borim to reduce the load on the existing bridge. The PWD office has reportedly prepared a plan for another bridge and is regularly following up the matter with the Central government.
