The Calvim-Aldona Bridge has seen heavy traffic since its opening. At first, there were only light vehicles, but now, trucks have started to sneak, or rather, zoom in. These massive vehicles carry big loads and even bigger problems.
First, the bridge’s frame is already corroded, and the entire bridge shakes whenever a truck passes by. The chances of it giving way are extremely high. It becomes even higher when you consider the large crack that sits at the bridge’s Calvim entrance. It has already started to sink.
Second, trucks coming in via Ponolem speed down a narrow road before reaching a culvert. The road over this culvert wasn’t designed for such a huge load. Once these trucks exit the bridge, they reach another narrow, but smaller and older, bridge at the Lankdem Chapel. One truck recently sent a motorcycle rider into a sluice gate. Further down the road, cracks are virtually everywhere, and they retain water with ease. A sharp curve sits beyond these cracks. One side of this curve is unguarded and leads into a ravine. A taxi once found out how deep it was.
Finally, the trucks coming in via Mayem have to cross a railway line. Trains moving along this line do not affect it in any way. When these loaded trucks cross the track, however, they can and do severely damage it.
Three children have already lost their lives at this infamous place, and their parents are still in grief. This is an SOS to the Konkan Railway Corporation, traffic cell and PWD. Must another disaster occur before we take action?
