TEAM HERALD
CHORAO: Residents of Chorao have given a one-month ultimatum to the State government to provide a concrete assurance on the construction of Chorao bridge, failing which they have threatened to agitate.
The residents gave the ultimatum to the government at a public meeting organised under the banner of United Citizens of Chorao at St Bartholomew’s High School hall at Pandavwadda, Chorao, on Sunday. The meeting was called to press the demand for the proposed Chorao bridge.
Some speakers at the meeting accused the government of fooling the Chorao people. “If the government fails to address our demand, we will boycott the next assembly election,” warned a speaker.
Some speakers threatened to stage rallies till their voice is heard by the government.
The organisers had called local MLA Anant Shet for the meeting to explain the status of the bridge, but Shet failed to attend the meet. It was also resolved to meet Shet and pursue the bridge matter.
Other speakers at the meeting included Chorao Civic Forum President Esperance Rodriques, former deputy sarpanch Maria Parras, Panch Pandari Vernekar, Fr Minguel Pereira, Mayem Bhuvimochan President Kashinath Mayekar and former Mayem sarpanch Tulshidas Chodankar.
Over 500 villagers, including Chodan-Madel Panchas Pandari Vernekar, Salvador Fernandes and Puja Prasad Chodankar, were present at the meeting.
It may be recalled that BJP in its manifesto had assured that if BJP candidate was elected from Mayem constituency and if the party comes to power, it would build a bridge within two years. Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had also given an assurance before and after election in many public meetings at Chorao that he would start the bridge work immediately.
Earlier in a meeting with the residents, Shet had assured the villagers that the State government is keen on constructing a connecting Chorao to Salvador-do-Mundo.
