TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday launched the work of fitting a pre-fabricated span of 80 metres for the bridge connecting Cumbharjua and Gaundalim, which will be the first of its kind in India.
The 250 tonne span is part of the three-phased bridge which will connect Amona to Old Goa and the lifting, moving and fitting exercise will take another 15 days.
The chief minister stated that the span will be first be lifted at a height of 18 metres and then moved forward to the place of its location, before it is finally fitted. This task, he said, is the first of its kind in the country.
Speaking after the launch, Parrikar said the ongoing construction work of the bridge costing Rs 44 crore will be completed by December 2014.
He said the proposal for building the project was “okayed” during his last term as chief minister. “However, the previous regime could complete only the first phase as it was an easy exercise,” Parrikar stated while informing that this stretch of the bridge was the most difficult one and will be completed in totality by May 30.
“The third phase of the bridge includes construction of a railway over bridge and the government has already taken permission from the Railways for the same,” Parrikar added and said the tender for the same will be floated by June and the works will be completed by September.
Parrikar further said after completion of the entire project, the distance from extreme North Goa to Panjim will be reduced by 10-12 kms and will benefit about 80,000 people from places like Sanquelim, Sattari, Bicholim, Mayem, etc.
“Further, it will reduce the traffic load along the Corlim-Marcela road by 30-40%,” he added while stating that the government has already started the process for tendering the four-laning project of Panjim-Old Goa route.
Parrikar said widening of road at Amona will be taken up shortly, which will benefit people of Sanquelim, Bicholim, Valpoi and surrounding areas.
Later, Parrikar along with MLA and GSIDC Vice Chairman Dr Pramod Sawant and GSIDC officials inspected the ongoing construction work of the bridge.
