MARGAO: In an insensitive comment, the former Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias, who had pushed for the contentious Railway underpass in Guirdolim, has attempted to play down the concerns expressed by the local residents and even mocked the issues raised by the people about ambulances not reaching the village in time as they are unable to pass through the low-height subway.
Dias was speaking to media persons about the issue people are facing ever since the railway level crossing adjacent to the underpass was permanently closed in May.
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“Tell me something, once they (railways) have done that (closed level crossing and only kept the subway open), has anything happened to anyone because the ambulance could not come. This is my question, as those who are opposing are simply saying anything for the sake of it. Have you’ll heard if anyone has died so far because of this ambulance (getting delayed) issue,” said Dias with a sarcastic tone.
He added the ambulances are hardly getting delayed and that they have two other routes, via Sanvordem to Chandor or via Margao to Guirdolim and so he felt this issue was a non-existent one.
However, this is contrary to the grievances expressed by locals who have shared instances of how the people have suffered when the ambulances got delayed in reaching either the site of the accident or people’s houses in medical emergencies. Moreover, the ambulances first come to the subway and then have to turn around and find another route.
Dias also played down the issue of buses being unable to pass through the subway, saying the underpass could not have accommodated buses in either case. It is to be noted that school-going children have been affected and the local’s school Parent- Teacher Association (PTA) has also complained about this.
What upset locals from Guirdolim further is Dias’s insistence that the subway was only ‘2 cms less than what was promised’.
The former BJP MLA even said the official resolution sent by the panchayat can be checked and that it was for 2.70 mtrs and what is built is 2.68m.
However, the panchayat resolution had called for 2.80 mts height.
Dias then said there is no issue of water logging and said unlike the Comba subway where there is 60-70 cms of water logging, there is only ‘2 cms’ water logging in the Guirdolim subway.
Dias further stated if people want the floor level of the subway can be pushed below by 30 cms or so but in that case, there would be water logging.
The former MLA also added that the panchayat knew that once the Rail Over Bridge (ROB) in the neighbouring village was built, the level crossing was closed, which the panchayat and even Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao had accepted.
He added that the only issue is with regard to heavy vehicles unable to pass through and people facing problems because of that and thus he had asked the government including the PWD to see if another road connecting to the village can be built or the existing narrow road can be widened, which would solve the issue.
He added that he did not think the people’s demand to the collector for opening the railway crossing again would bring about any change but said he would be happy for the people if that happens.
He boasted about how getting the subway built after 40 years was his big achievement.
