VRISHANK MAHATME
The bridge over Rua de Ourem connecting Mala to Patto complex which would have brought relief to the residents of Mala and Patto now looks bleak as the completion of Phase I is delayed again by another two months.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has attributed the delay to the issue of funds while assuring that they are working towards completing the Phase I by this December.
As Herald visited the site it was revealed that the construction has been going at a fast pace and nearly 90 per cent work had been completed. Initially the project was supposed to be completed in 18 months. However, only the first phase is expected to finish by December end this year.
“The entire project is divided in two phases. Phase I consists of a two-lane bridge along with service bridge for utilities. Phase II will consist of another two-lane bridge. Phase II works will be taken up after shifting of Panjim city water supply pipeline on service bridge of Phase I,” said Deepak Pawaskar, Sanvordem MLA and GSIDC chairman.
“90 per cent work of the bridge is completed. Only tarring of the road and the service lines have to put up and within the next two months the bridge will be thrown open to the public. The delay was caused because there was some issue of lack of funds and the project was held up in between which caused the delay. GSIDC was initially planning to open the bridge for Dussehra but it’s not possible,” said Pawaskar.
The GSIDC Chairman said that Phase II will be taken up after shifting of Panjim city water supply pipeline on the service bridge of Phase I.
This new bridge is also expected to shorten the distance from South-eastern parts of the city and its suburbs in St Cruz at least by a kilometre and help in decongesting the area and will provide alternative to the traffic originating from Mala, Fontainhas, St Cruz, Bhatulem, Altinho and Taleigao which proceeds to bus stand to exit Panjim city, thus reducing significant traffic on Panjim roads.
Further the design of the bridge will include a special arch in between and will also have special slots for sewage line, electrical cables and wires and water pipelines. The contract has been awarded to Larsen and Toubro (L&T) at a cost of Rs 24 crore. The tender was floated on January 25, 2016.
A local resident, Shravan Shirwaikar, speaking to Herald, said “The Bridge will be very useful to all the people as almost half of the traffic will be diverted and the present traffic jams which are experienced almost every day at the old Patto Bridge during office and peak hours will be reduced. People wanting to travel to Mala can use the bridge and avoid the long route.”
Meanwhile, it can be recalled that the Congress had questioned the fitness of the bridge across Ourem Creek stating that it was tilted. However GSIDC denied any faults in the ongoing construction stating that the bridge’s deck slab is constructed by using M45 grade concrete. The bridge is provided with the central cantilever slab. The cantilever slab will be designed to take the load of water supply line of 700 mm diameter pipe.
