Two recently-inaugurated projects in Pernem – Khajan Gundo (bridge) at Parsem and the new Pernem bus stand – have raised questions as they were formally thrown open though they are not complete. There were allegations that the government inaugurated the projects so as to beat the Code of Conduct that has come into force with the declaration of the Assembly election dates.
The Khajan Gundo (bridge), inaugurated on December 1, has become a spot for joggers and for people going evening walks but at night it turns into a spot for anti-social activity. There are reports of speeding bikes riding on the bridge and disturbing the peace of people residing in the area and also of partying in the area.
Local resident Prakash Naik said, “Young boys have bike races late at night on this bridge which is dangerous for people walking on the road. The sound of the geared motorbikes disturbs our sleep. There are no rules followed due to which people do whatever they want. This spot has become a new smoking and drinking area for the people.”
Besides, to light up the bridge, the government has been using a generator. A BJP supporter defended this saying, “As per the plan the project is completed and the generator will be replaced by a transformer which is on its way.”
But others question as to if the transformer is on its way, why was the government eager to inaugurate the project? Was it the code of conduct that led to the inauguration?
The second project inaugurated is the Pernem bus stand. While this is a project the people of Pernem have been awaiting from years and saw the foundation being laid twice by different governments, the project inaugurated on December 20 is not open for people, and buses and private vehicles do not access to the bus stand despite it standing inaugurated.
The basement parking and bus stand appears completed but the work of the market complex, which is part of the project, is not yet completed. Besides, the beautification work of the project is pending and work is in progress even after its inauguration.
Bus driver Vasant Pirankar said, “If the inauguration is done then the bus stand should have been open for the public to use and vehicles should have been started to move in there. The government just want to show the common man that they have done something.”
This project can be called the dream project of people of Pernem, but an incomplete project with no access to it even after inauguration was not what they had expected.
