The footbridge constructed by the PWD in jurisdiction of the village panchayat of Sodiem-Siolim is virtually on the verge of collapse.
The railings are damaged and the bridge too has caved in at many places. School children, women, pedestrians and bike riders use this route to cross over as it is the only shortcut and link road to reach Marna.
During heavy rains, water flows over the bridge and has rendered it weak and there are chances of it collapsing too.
The issue has been repeatedly debated at gram sabhas, resolutions passed to repair it but have never been implemented to date. Are we waiting for tragedies to happen before repairing it? Will the village panchayat please answer as to where the development funds are utilised by neglecting serious issues like these?
The panchayat rather than repairing gutters and constructing unwanted public toilets should cast a cursory glance here before tragedy strikes.
Either the bridge needs to be closed down or repaired at the earliest in public interest. Let better counsel prevail.