MARGAO: The Aquem-Baixo panchayat, in a letter to the executive engineer of the PWD, Works Division VI, has alleged that the panchayat was not taken into confidence inspite of filing its objection to the alignment of the proposed Dongorim-Firgulem bridge.

Demanding that the PWD drop its plans for the bridge at the site proposed by their department, it threatened further action in the matter if this was not done.

According to information the resistance is because residents feel that the proposed bridge will not benefit the larger population of the area at Firgulem of Aquem Baixo village. The letter alleges that representations had already been filed with the PWD, but nothing was heard from the department.

According to information, a resolution was passed at the gram sabha meeting some time ago, proposing the construction of the bridge along the 50 meters width land acquired by the irrigation department for the underground aquaduct. Of the 50 meters acquired land only 3 meters have been utilised for the underground aquaduct.

The villagers were of the view that the proposed bridge and its approach roads could be easily constructed along the alignment of the aqueduct and no further acquisition of land, nor destruction of paddy fields by filing the low lying lands was needed. They say that in case any further land is acquired, then it would cause floods in the adjoining residential areas.

The site selected by the PWD will cause destruction of prime agricultural land, which is to be irrigated under the Selaulim Dam Irrigation Project (CADA), as a result of construction of the approach roads, they allege, and as the alignment for the bridge proposed by the PWD is a complete ‘C’ shaped, it will not be beneficial for the people but increase the chances of accidents.

It must be noted that the government has proposed to construct another 7.5 meter wide bridge at a site just 480 meters upstream from the existing 8 meter wide bridge connecting Navelim
and Mandopa.