Ponda: The government’s apathy to the plight of thousands of daily commuters has irked them as the portion of the busy Rasoi ferry ramp that collapsed over a month and a half ago, is still damaged.
Due to the failure of the government to repair the ramp, it is not just the ferry boat driver, who struggles to anchor the boat by avoiding the damaged portion of ramp, riders and drivers of vehicles also have a tough time getting on or exiting the ferry boat. The ferry boat staff has already complained to the higher authorities but there has been no action taken as yet.
Explaining the difficulties faced by all, social worker Hanumanth Naik pointed out that the ferry ramp has developed a huge crator, right on the edge of the ramp. This has narrowed the width of the ramp and all vehicles have to follow a single path avoiding the damaged portion.
Naik pointed out that around five thousand people commute on the ferries coming from Adpoi and Durbhat to Rasoi on a daily basis, which is why this needs the attention of the government at the earliest. Further ferries from both these areas use the common Rasoi ferry ramp.
Naik also lamented that vehicle owners face the risk of damaging their vehicles as they negotiating this tough stretch.
Those traveling on the ferry point out that as it is, it’s not so easy getting on and getting off the ferry boat when there are big crowds and this has made it worse. They have demanded for immediate repairs and said they now fear an accident taking place and that they or their vehicles could also fall of the ramp.
The Adpoi- Rasoi and Durbhat-Rasoi ferry route serves as a short cut route from Ponda for commuters to travel towards Vasco, Verna, Salcete etc. Similarly, the commuters and workers from Vasco and Salcete travel towards Bethora, Kundai, Marcaim Industrial Estates at Ponda.
Naik called on Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’sa to take up the matter.
Baban Sawant, the President of the Ponda taxi operators, who uses this ferry to get to Vasco, said the government should repair the ramp before any untoward incident takes place.
