Except for resolution passed in 1998 and an assurance given by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the construction work of the Marcaim-Neura Bridge has not yet started. The bridge will connect not only Marcaim and St Andre constituencies, but also other talukas with Ponda.
Presently, the government operates two ferries on the 1.5 kilometre Marcaim-Cortalim route, which is considered to be one of the longest and most dangerous routes. There have been several incidents of ferries drifting away due to strong wind and currents or breaking down mid-route. Additionally, it takes around 40 minutes to travel from Marcaim to the Cortalim wharf, which is located near the Zuari Bridge. If a person misses a ferry, he or she has to wait for an hour to catch
another one. This ferry service is used mainly by commuters from Ponda, Vasco, GMC, and Verna and Marcaim industrial estates.
Marcaim-Neura Bridge Contruction Forum (BCF) members Digambar Naik and Dinesh Kenkre have stated that for over two decades, they have been requesting the Goa Government to construct the bridge and even took up the issue with the Centre. The said that both governments had shown interest, but there was still no progress towards construction.
On July 10, 1998, the Goa Assembly passed a resolution to construct the bridge, while in 2012, according to an RTI, Parrikar had assured St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh that the government would contruct a bridge each at Kalvi, Gavadali and Marcaim-Neura. The first two bridges have already become reality.
The BCF stated that it had proposed a 300-metre bridge and approach roads at Marcaim and Neura, and there was no need to demolish houses the plan had been designed with the help of engineers by using Google Maps. The bridge will connect Ponda to Salcete, Mormugao and Tiswadi, while the industries at Verna and Sancole will be linked with Kundai, Marcaim, Bethora, etc. Besides, students will have easy access to Goa University.
Naik and Kenkre also questioned why if Panjim can have three Mandovi bridges, why can’t there be one at Marcaim-Neura, which will save time, fuel worth Rs 10 crore, and connect industries and save the money of office-goers.
“In the modern world, people should get time-saving modes of tranport intead of risky and time-consuming services. Since 1980, we have been following the matter with the government,” said Kenkre.
He and Naik warned that if the government does not begin the construction work soon, they will file a petition in the High Court.
Meanwhile, Marcaim Sarpanch Savita Marcaikar said, “The bridge will help people in terms of education, jobs, and medical facilities. Therefore, the government should look into matter in the interest of the public.”
PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said that access roads have to be constructed before the bridge. He added that there are several houses at Marcaim, and there views cannot be overiden and that “all obstacles have to be cleared to undertake the project”.
St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh stated, “The bridge is the a need of the hour, but there is no progress so far except resolutions by the government. This bridge will help a lot of people to travel towards Vasco, Margao and Panjim.”
The forum has even convinced nine panchayat gram sahba since 2008 to pass a resolution in favour of a bridge. Those panchayats that passed the resolution include Bandora, Marcaim, Neura, St Lawrence, Veling-Priol, Bhoma, Kerim and Kundaim.
Ponda resident Sandeep Naik, who travels reguarly on the Marcaim-Cortalim ferry route, stated that the bridge will help the public a lot by saving time, money and fuel. He said that if a large bridge is economically unviable, a footbridge, or bridge for light vehicles should be constructed. He added that two bridges are needed in Marcaim constituency, with two bypass roads connecting the National Highway 4 A and National Highway 17 B. One bridge should be at Marcaim-Neura and the other at Rasoi-Adpoi.
