DIANA FERNANDES |NT
Margao
After being kept on hold for over eight years, work on the Sinquetim- Benaulim Bridge is expected to be back on track as local MLA said tender for the work is soon to be issued.
Currently, the site of the bridge still has the central span in place in the middle of the River Sal and steel rods protruding from it.
Speaking to this daily, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao said the bridge would benefit locals from both sides. “This is an important and much needed bridge since it will help to connect Navelim with Benaulim. There are many people who go to college and other works but have to take a long turn. This bridge will greatly reduce the time spent in travelling. The other bridges that were proposed and built along with this one are being used extensively and have helped the locals considerably,” he said.
He further added that the work would start soon and that the tender work was currently being prepared. “The tender is currently being prepared and I will personally request the Chief Minister to allocate funds to complete this bridge as soon as possible. The work on the bridge had been stopped specifically because of political interference and it is my aim to see that this bridge is completed. All the necessary environmental clearances have been received and the work can go ahead under the PWD department,” said Alemao.
The bridge was first proposed and work had started in 2010 along with the Varca- Telaulim and Cavelossim- Assolna bridges. While they were completed, the Sinquetim- Benaulim Bridge was put on hold due to opposition and had been challenged. Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had visited the site following which the objections were raised and the work was put on hold in 2012.
Since then however, the half completed bridge has been an eye sore with pillars planted in the River Sal and steel rods protruding from it. Alemao however said that with the tender cleared the work will begin from where it was left off.
