KATHY PEREIRA
The tragic death of a former Loliem sarpanch, who was hit by a moving train near the KRC Bridge on the Galgibaga River on February 14, has revived the long-pending demand from locals for better and safer access between Maxem and Galgibaga in Canacona taluka.
This time though, the agitated residents have decided to step up their pressure and demand the provision of basic amenities, which includes bridges, to enable a safer crossing between Maxem and Galgibaga.
Agnes Afonso (53) of Maxem-Canacona was crossing along the tracks while on her way with two others to attend the early morning mass, when she was killed by a moving train.
While residents accused authorities of failing to pay attention to their demands for safer access, especially since the site had witnessed fatal mishaps in the past, Maxem Panch Santan Costa said it was the collective failure of different government authorities concerned.
“Despite our requests, the River Navigation Department (RND) failed to start ferry services from 6 am onwards, while other authorities have failed to construct a footbridge over the Galgibaga River. Connectivity between Maxem and Galgibaga has been a vital requirement for residents of both areas, given the close bond they have shared over the years,” said Costa.
“School children have no option and are still using the railway bridge to cross over, even though the numbers have declined during school hours with the introduction of school buses. However, evening classes and other school activities have forced many students to use the KRC Bridge,” adds Costa.
Residents who visited the Afonso family home to offer their condolences were equally critical of the government’s indifferent attitude towards the locals.
“The government uses our resources only for the benefit of outsiders and has not done anything for us locals. While Agnes lost her life, we are left vulnerable to mishaps at the railway tracks,” said a woman.
Citing one such danger, a resident pointed out that the provision for the pedestrian pathway on the Konkan Railway Corporation Bridge at Galgibaga is on the east side, while the steps leading to the tracks are on the western side. “This has encouraged residents using the steps to cross over the tracks to reach the pedestrian pathway on the other side of the KRC Bridge,” said the resident.
Another resident added, “People have been hoping against hope that a full-fledged bridge would soon be constructed over the Galgibaga River. This would reduce the distance to the main Chaudi town by 10 kms.”
Incidentally, the demand for a safer crossing between Maxem and Galgibaga has also been made in the virtual world, with Facebook posts highlighting the issue.
“This time, we cannot be pleading but we have to demand basic amenities. Remember, he (deputy collector) is the head of the disaster management team of Canacona. We have to ask him to identify those places prone to disasters and mishaps, be it narrow bridges, railway crossings, narrow roads, blind curves, trees posing danger be it on the road or houses, stray dogs and cattle, wild animals, dangerous places near the sea, electrical wires dangling on the road, over-speeding and overloading of vehicles, fish water spilled on the road, etc, etc,” said one Facebook message.
“It’s time to make not only Galgibaga and Maxem safe, but the entire Canacona taluka,” states the Facebook post, with the writer even suggesting a tougher course of action like a road-blockade agitation, if there is no satisfactory reply from the deputy collector.
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Locals want exclusive pedestrian pathway
Not all residents are of the opinion that the proposed bridge across the Galgibaga River would address the problems of pedestrians from Maxem and Galgibaga.
Xavier Corte of Loliem, and a frequent traveller along the route, points out to a potential danger, even if the bridge is constructed.
“The upcoming bridge especially over Galgibaga River will not be of much significance to locals of Maxem and Galgibaga. The bridge will be used by heavy vehicles and pedestrians will find it as dangerous as the present KRC Bridge (Maxem-Galgibaga), which also has a pedestrian pathway,” Corte said.
“Unless there is a separate pedestrian pathway, how would pedestrians walk on the bridge when traffic, especially loaded trucks and other heavy vehicles, start moving at high speeds? This problem will only be solved if authorities construct a footbridge or a separate pedestrian track on the upcoming bridge, which will be part of the highway,” he added.
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Minister promises three new bridges
Aware of mounting demands from residents for safer access between Maxem and Galgibaga, Sports Minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar said the government has already submitted a proposal for the construction of three bridges in Canacona.
“The government has already submitted a Rs 280.16 crore proposal to construct three bridges at Galgibaga, Talpona and over the Maxem creek in Loliem village,” Tawadkar said.
“These bridges are part of the four-lane national expressway from Maxem to Char-Rasta, and once the work commences by October, all three bridges will be completed in two years.”
Tawadkar was confident that the Defence Minister and former chief minister Manohar Parrikar would intervene to enable the Centre’s approval ahead of schedule.
“The project has his blessings and central sanction will be accorded before time to enable work to commence by October,” Tawadkar said.
But not all residents are confident about the promises. Some of them recalled that Parrikar had declared that the bridge works would begin by December 19, 2014, while addressing a booth-level meeting in Ordhofond, Poinguinium, during the last Lok Sabha elections.
“Forget about the work, even the project sanction has not been received so far,” said a resident.
