Instead, over seven years have passed and the Virdi-Amona Bridge, which would have reduced the distance between Marcela and Virdi by nearly 15 kms, yet to be completed. Believe it or not, the project has now been further held up due to a legal battle by a person claiming a paltry 31 sq mtrs of land at the proposed site.
This is the plight of the Virdi-Amona Bridge, which was meant to reduce the distance between Marcela and Sanquelim, thereby benefiting residents of Sanquelim, Virdi, Maulingtad, Vazri and Karapur. The prolonged delay has compelled the contractor to abandon the work and shift his machinery to some other place.
The foundation stone for the Virdi-Amona bridge was first laid by then chief minister Pratapsing Rane on April 4, 2007 in the presence of then power minister Digambar Kamat.
When the bridge was proposed, the initial cost was estimated at Rs 3 crore. But after the foundation stone was laid, the government totally forgot about the project. Despite completing almost all formalities to acquire the land, the project could not see the light of day. SMC Chairman Anand Naik had also expressed his displeasure over the delay of the project.
As the demands for the bridge began to grow, the BJP government re-laid the foundation stone on October 13, 2013 and then chief minister Manohar Parrikar assured that the bridge would be a reality within 18 months.
“This bridge would have been helpful to the people of Virdi as the present distance of 18 kms between Marcela and the village would have been only about 3 kms,” remarked Sanquelim Councillor Dishita Naik.
“The BJP had assured to complete the bridge within 18 months but till date, hardly anything has materialized. What is worse, the contractor has shifted all the machinery to some other place and this bridge has now been abandoned.”
Added Dayesh Naik: “Sanquelim MLA Dr Pramod Sawant is also chairman of GSIDC, which is undertaking work on the bridge. Despite tall claims, the project has been incomplete for over seven years.”
When contacted, local MLA and GSIDC Chairman Dr Pramod Sawant insisted that the BJP is committed to the construction of the bridge.
“We had started work on the bridge, but a person from the village has filed a case against the state government and the GSIDC, claiming that a portion of the bridge lies in his land, which is just 31 sq mts,” said Dr Sawant. “Since the last six months, the work has been left pending as the case has been filed with the deputy collector.”
“We are trying our best and if the case is settled by next month, we can complete the bridge before the next monsoon,” Dr Sawant added.
