Team Herald
VASCO: A day after the inauguration of the new loop port connectivity flyover by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) on Wednesday started constructing gates and a compound wall to block access to either side of the ramps at Baina, inviting outrage from the public and the Mormugao Municipal Council.
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Following complaints by the residents of Baina, Mormugao chairperson Girish Borker, along with ward councillor Deepak Naik, rushed to the site and stopped the construction work carried out by the contractor.
They claimed that the MPA chief engineer allegedly insulted the
Mormugao chairperson when the latter contacted him for clarification on the ongoing construction work and demanded an apology from him.
Reacting to the development, councillor Deepak Naik strongly condemned the MPA’s actions and warned that they would not tolerate intimidation.
Naik recalled that at the time of the inauguration on Tuesday, Gadkari had clearly stated that the infrastructure built at Baina was for public convenience and to ease traffic.
“How can MPA contradict the Minister’s statement and block access to the people?” Naik asked.
Naik further remarked that the MPA’s actions seemed intended to force people to obtain passes to use the ramps. “If the gates and wall are not removed, we will use bulldozers to raze them, irrespective of the consequences,” Naik warned.
Borker criticised the MPA for not disclosing their plans before the inauguration of the new flyover.
He alleged that the MPA waited until after the event to start construction to block access. He further accused the MPA chief engineer of behaving arrogantly when approached for clarification and demanded an immediate apology.
Borker stated that the MPA would not be allowed to continue construction until the issue is resolved.
He noted that the citizens, particularly the residents of Baina, had already faced hardships during the construction phase of the flyover.
“We will not allow them to suffer again. They cannot be denied access. This is unacceptable,” Borker declared.
