Galgibaga residents have turned down the proposed motorable bridges saying they prefer a footbridge across the Galgibaga River. This demand, for a footbridge across the river between Maxem and Galgibaga, is not new and has been lying in cold storage for decades, with virtually every elected representative forgetting about it.
While it may appear strange that people want a footbridge rather than proper motorable bridges at Talpona and Galgibaga, which has been promised by the government, they have their reasons.
“The only motorable bridge over Galgibaga River is an old Portuguese-era narrow and poorly maintained one on the NH17, which passes near the Poinguinim Bazaar. It is the only link between Goa and Karnataka on Goa’s southernmost border. Any threat to this bridge would effectively cut off the route, as happened during the floods on October 2, 2009,” said Abel Barretto.
“Sharing a close bond, people residing on either side of the river have traditionally been dependent on both sides for education and religious needs, as well as trade and commerce,” he added.
He said that since schools are located on either sides of the river, students from Maxem are enrolled in Galgibaga schools, while Galgibaga students also pursue their education in schools in Maxem.
“For religious needs, Hindus living in Galgibaga are known to visit Shri Nirankar Temple at Maxem, while Catholics residing at Maxem are parishioners of St Anthony’s Church in Galgibaga,” explains Barretto.
Agreeing with Barretto, Maxem Panch Santan Costa said people residing on either side of the river have been heavily dependent on each other.
“It has been for this very reason that people have treaded on a dangerous path available to them via the Konkan Railway Bridge. But this has led to fatal mishaps and hence, we have been demanding a separate footbridge,” said Costa.
Ferry services considered failure
The State-run boat service over the Galgibaga River had replaced private boat operators, but locals of Galgibaga and Maxem feel let down by the boat services.
“Transporting people by boat services is an accident waiting to happen. Besides, boat services are neither convenient nor viable for residents. As the government operates fibre boats, occupants find them very unsafe as the boats tend to shake while moving across the river. This has given rise to considerable fears among commuters that the boat could capsize, especially during high tide,” said Maxem Panch Santan Costa.
According to Costa, the government boat service has been virtually useless.
“Nearly 70% of the river goes dry, compelling people, and to a large extent, students, to walk over the marshy area. Imagine walking on marshy land with shoes and long pants, unlike decades ago when people would wear slippers and short pants.”
“For women, it is a nightmare to walk on marshy land in their sarees. They are forced to lift their sarees to avoid soiling their clothes, only to draw unwanted stares,” said Costa.
The impractical and danger-prone boat services, added Costa, have prompted people to opt for the dangerous alternative of crossing the river by walking on the tracks across the KRC Bridge.
According to Devu Metri, residents have been aggrieved as the river, once the lifeline of the village, has turned in to a death trap.
“Earlier, people of this place had come together to reject the proposed industrial estate in the village. Now, an even larger number is getting together to demand the footbridge,” said Metri.
Lot of efforts, little follow-up
Following growing demands for a footbridge, some PWD Engineers visited the area to examine the possibility of extending a wooden ramp right up to the navigable portion of the river.
Locals, however, complained that there was no follow up after that and the authorities did little to pursue the matter even after CRZ authority had granted its NOC for a footbridge.
“There were other plans to dredge the riverbed, amid claims of heavy siltation post 2009 Canacona floods. This too was given up by authorities, after inspections revealed that the project would not be viable,” said a resident.
“The only option is a footbridge, or at least a motorable bridge for light motor vehicles (LMV) similar to the Bailey Bridge over Talpona River constructed a decade ago between Sadolxem and Mangan-Kindlem (Canacona municipal area),” the resident added.
Locals form 6-member committee
Determined to get a footbridge, residents of Galgibaga have formed a six-member committee to pursue their demand with the government.
According to sources, the recent fatal mishap over KRC Bridge which claimed the life of former Loliem-Polem sarpanch Agnes Afonso, led to mounting demands for a footbridge.
Residents of both sides even formed an association ‘Galgibaga-Maxem Jagrut Nagrik Samiti’ and appointed a six-member committee, headed by Agnelo Barretto, to pursue the matter.
“We feel that the election-related promises of bridges over Galgibaga River and/or Talpona are of no use for the locals. Hence, we reiterate our demand for a separate footbridge or at least, a bridge for light motor vehicles,” Barretto said.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that a representation submitted by Galgibaga-Maxem Jagrut Nagrik Samiti seeking to revive the demand for a footbridge continues to lie with local authorities.
