PERNEM: The incomplete Keri-Tiracol Bridge has proved to be “white elephant” for the locals as only 38 per cent work stands complete.
The beach, Tiracol fort and Ajoba Temple attract thousands of tourists to Keri-Tiracol located on the Goa-Maharashtra border.
The locals complain that the incomplete bridge has spoilt the beauty of the beach, which was once a famous spot for picnics, as several trees were felled to pave way for its construction.
If completed, the bridge would have connected Keri and Tiracol. The locals of Keri were in favour of the bridge. However, the residents of Tiracol feared they lose 50 per cent of forest cover on account of deforestation.
It may be recalled that in 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered a stay on the bridge construction especially Pier No 6 as permission of forest was required under the Forest Conservation Act due to thick forest cover on the Tiracol side.
The NGT had also directed the Goa government to identify experts and ascertain whether the construction of piers could damage the river mouth or not.
The Goa Foundation had pleaded for a stay on the bridge construction stating that the project was constructed violating the CRZ notification and without proper approval.
It had alleged that the project is constructed under public funds but for the benefit of the proposed golf course project.
The construction work commenced in February 2014 when the then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar had laid the foundation stone for this project in presence of Laxmikant Parsekar and former MLA Rajendra Arlekar.
However, the NGT had issued a stop work notice to the project as GF challenged the CRZ clearance granted by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for constructing the bridge across the river.
