The government is building a third bridge over the Mandovi River and a second bridge over the Zuari River at a cost of several thousand crore rupees.
Like the Zuari Bridge, the Borim Bridge in Ponda taluka is also a major link between North and South Goa. Due to industrial growth and other developmental work in Goa, heavy traffic passes through Borim village via the national highway, which often faces traffic congestion. This has led to locals demanding a new bridge as well as a bypass road.
Borim locals, motorists and commuters feel that traffic congestion can be curbed to some extent by repairing the old, broken Portuguese-era Bailey bridge, which runs parallel to the existing bridge and stands on a narrow part of the river.
The locals have questioned what the situation will be like if the Borim Bridge collapses under the weight of heavy vehicles. They recalled how they faced great hardships travelling by ferry after the Bailey bridge collapsed three decades ago. They added that traffic had increased drastically since that time, and it would not be possible to travel by ferry.
Borim locals have also pointed out that the Mandovi and Zuari Rivers are getting a third and second bridge respectively, and have questioned why their village was being neglected despite handling a lot of traffic daily.
“We regularly travel on this bridge and often face traffic congestion in Borim. We are not demanding a second bridge just because Panjim and Cortalim are getting additional bridges. Another bridge in Borim is the need of the hour due to the heavy flow of traffic. It will not require any land acquisition for its approach roads as they already exist. Except for repairs, there are no costs,” said Hanumanth Naik, a social worker.
Incidentally, the Bailey bridge in Borim was built during the Portuguese rule. According to locals, during the Liberation struggle, a part of the bridge was blown up with dynamite. The damaged portion was reconstructed and the bridge was thrown open for the public again. Due to its weight restrictions, narrow width and the damage done to barges, the government constructed a new bridge three decades ago. At present, mostly nature lover visit the Bailey bridge.
The Borim Bridge is immensely burdened by heavy vehicles and other motorists. Motorists, commuters and locals are worried about the traffic congestion in the village as well as the pressure on the bridge, on which thousands of vehicles travel daily, inconveniencing the villagers. The bridge has become a vital link between North and South Goa after heavy transport vehicles were diverted to it due to the deteriorating state of the Zuari Bridge many years ago.
“No doubt, there is a need for a second bridge and bypass road to decongest Borim, which often faces traffic congestion. If repaired, the old Portuguese bridge parallel to the existing bridge can serve light vehicles and two-wheelers,” said Sunil Savkar, former Borim sarpanch.
Praveen Gaonkar, a two-wheeler rider who regularly uses the bridge, said, “It’s time to search for another bridge before something untoward happens with the existing bridge. The bridge is being repaired and used regularly. Though the National Highway authorities say the bridge is safe, many people who use the bridge have expressed fear about its load-bearing capacity due to the large lorries and loaded vehicles travelling on it.”
When contacted, highway officials and PWD engineers said that the bridge design is similar to that of the Zuari Bridge. According to the consultant, the condition of the bridge has not deteriorated and they are repairing it regularly and strengthening its lifespan with the external pre-stressing technique. The same method was used for the Zuari Bridge some years ago.
National Highway sources have said that they are working on a new parallel bridge and bypass road for Borim to relieve the existing bridge. The PWD office has reportedly prepared three alternative plans and is regularly following up the matter with the Central government.
