Team Herald
MARGAO: The Rawanfond railway over bridge in Margao was closed to vehicular traffic after the collapse of a retaining wall raised concerns of a potential landslide. Authorities acted swiftly to close the bridge and redirect traffic, citing safety concerns.
The collapse is reportedly linked to ongoing excavation work at the site, where a new over bridge is under construction. The excavation is believed to have weakened the retaining wall, making it vulnerable to collapse under the continuous downpour.
In response, local authorities, including the traffic police, rushed to the scene to cordon off the area and enforce road closures.
Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes until restoration and safety assessments are completed. However, no specific timeline for reopening the bridge has been announced.
The incident has sparked public concern, with several citizens questioning the transparency and coordination between government departments in handling the situation.
Prabhav Naik, a local activist, demanded clarity on whether the South Goa District Collector and the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) were consulted prior to the bridge's closure.
"While I fully support actions taken to protect public safety, such decisions must be transparent and involve proper inter-departmental coordination," Naik stated.
He emphasised that since the threat of a landslide falls under the jurisdiction of the DMA, it is essential that the District Administration, PWD, and local disaster response teams be actively involved in the assessment and decision-making process.
Naik also questioned whether a technical inspection had been conducted before ordering the closure. He urged the District Collector to issue a formal status report, convene a joint site inspection with experts and stakeholders, and clarify the roles and decisions undertaken so far.
The closure of this vital bridge has significantly affected daily commuters, emergency services, and local businesses, making the need for accountability and clear communication all the more urgent.