Team Herald
PONDA: The Ponda and Borim locals on Monday demanded that the State government should stop repairing the Borim Bridge time and again and put up a proposal with the Central government for construction of new bridge as this is one of the vital links not only between North and South Districts but also for an inter-state transportation.
The locals informed that while the new Zuari Bridge at Cortalim is constructed, the other bridge on the same river at Borim which is waiting for a new one is neglected. The bridge has been used more than its capacity several times, hence before untoward incident could happen, the government should take up the matter seriously to build a new one.
“If one stands in the middle of the footpath of Borim Bridge, heavy shaking and jolts create fears in one’s mind,” the locals informed.
After the jolts at finger type expansion joints in the middle of bridge created panic among the commuters, the National Highways Authority of India has decided to repair the joints and strengthen it, from October 11 to 20.
During this period, there will be partial closure of the Bridge with one lane closed for working and two way traffic allowed on other lane alternatively.
Panch Sunil Sawkar, who is also a former sarpanch of Borim Village Panchayat, said that three decades ago after the old bridge of Portuguese era collapsed, the Goa government constructed a new bridge and was inaugurated by then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane in 1986.
According to Deputy Sarpanch Costancio Luis and panch Sawkar now this bridge is 34 years old. But considering the continuous flow of heavy traffic diverted from the Cortalim Bridge for 10 years, the bridge actual life span has gone up by 44 years. Considering its overuse, we feel the bridge may collapse any time.
“Further at one time it has carried heavy traffic of two bridges despite carriage capacity is around 30 tonnes. With at times several container trucks with tonnes of weight are proceeding in queue on this bridge, we feel that the bridge is overused and now shaking and are hoping for a new one,” the panchayat members said.
“For the past five years we are demanding for a new bridge. Though National Highways Authority of India has made plans for alternative bridge there is no sign of constructing a new one.”
“Two years ago the bridge was repaired at a cost of Rs 11 crore and due to rising heavy traffic this overburdened bridge is going again through repairs. At some point of time like the old Zuari Bridge further repairs would be impossible and this bridge too may be forced to close for heavy traffic. Then the heavy traffic plying on this route will be forced to cover long distance from Zuari Bridge wasting precious fuel,” they added.
It may be recalled two month ago the bridge which was receiving jolts and shaking had created panic among the commuters travelling on it.
Sarpanch Bhavana Naik, who inspected the bridge feared to stand at the finger type joints were the bridge was receiving the jolts.
The video of shaking bridge went viral on social media forcing the authorities to rush to the spot and undertake repairs.
Both Deputy Sarpanch Constacio and panch Sawkar had questioned the authorities how far they would go in continuing with the repairs on the overburdened bridge. If untoward incident happen, who would be responsible and how the government would manage the traffic on this route.
