GAURESH SATTARKAR
Prompted by O Heraldo reports exposing a decades-old bridge bottleneck in Bankal and a worsening drinking water crisis in Talsai, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes on Mon day visited both villages in Sanguem taluka and assured residents that efforts would be made to address their long-pending grievances. Accompanied by Sanguem Congress Block Coordinator Jitendra Naik, Fernandes first visited Bankal village, where res idents have for long de pended on a precarious wooden bridge to access essential services. The issue was highlighted in O Heral do’s May 26 report, “Four decades on, Bankal villagers await permanent bridge”. Interacting with villag ers, the MP was told that the makeshift structure be comes particularly hazard ous during the monsoon, putting schoolchildren and other residents at risk. “Even after Liberation, we are still facing such problems where there is no proper bridge and school-going students are suffering,” Fernandes said after inspecting the site.
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Referring to the O Heraldo report he said, “After read ing the O Heraldo news, I personally came to inspect the bridge and understand how we can construct it.” While acknowledging that work cannot begin immediately with the mon soon around the corner, Fernandes said the project would be pursued after the rains. “If legal procedures and funds are required, we will take the necessary steps. After the rainy sea son, we will find ways to construct it,” he assured. The MP later travelled to Talsai village, where resi dents are grappling with an acute shortage of potable water, a problem highlighted in O Heraldo’s June 1 report, “Minister’s own backyard Talsai faces water crisis”.
Villagers told Fernandes that water from the village wells has turned red and unfit for consumption, while the borewell supply lasts barely 10 minutes and often delivers black-coloured water. Inspecting the damaged wells and interacting with Gaon kars, Fernandes described the situation as alarming. “Both the wells are totally damaged and the water has turned red, which is not fit for drinking. The borewell also gives water only for 10 minutes and that too is black in colour,” he said. He assured residents that the matter would be taken up with the concerned departments to find a solution. “This problem will be sorted out after discussions with the rele vant authorities,” he said. The twin visits came in the wake of O Heraldo’s reports spotlighting basic infrastructure and water supply deficien cies that continue to affect residents in parts of Sanguem despite repeated demands for intervention.
