BY RAMESH SAVAIKAR
BICHOLIM: Bicholim residents have been bracing for recurrence of floods in the town as work for a parallel bridge over Bicholim river, which has been going on since November 2009,  remains to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon.

Some  senior citizens,  activists  of political parties and  social workers  from Bicholim town observed that every year Bicholim river gets swollen  because of continuous  downpour for a couple of days throwing the life out of gear and causing damages to properties. The floodwater inundates the town and low-lying areas.
The government has taken up some flood control measures like de-silting of the   river and a nallah in the town, construction of protection walls, cleaning of drainages etc. However, people felt that these measures would not be enough.
The work on the parallel bridge along the eastern side of the existing bridge has been going on in full swing. However, it is observed that the ongoing work would be not completed before the arrival of the monsoon.
Mr Vishnu Surlakar, a Congressman here, observed that due to incompletion of work of this bridge there could be no smooth flow of rainwater resulting in swelling of the river during the monsoon.
The parallel bridge is being built at an estimated cost of about Rs 6.4 crore. It will have three spans of 2.2-metre width and a footpath with provision for water and telephone ducts.  The length of the bridge is 100 metres inclusive of approach roads on either side.
The period stipulated for constructing the bridge is one year. But the work started sometime in November 2009.  Now, the contractor has less time in completing the work before the arrival of the monsoon.
Residents of Bhaipeth have also expressed concerns over the work going on for Bicholim nallah. Some of the residents punched holes in the work for raising level of the road near the traffic circle saying that it would not serve the purpose.
The Bicholim MLA, Mr Rajesh Patnekat said the concerned authorities should have taken time aspect into account. “Now the department officers will have to be very alert and be on their toes,” Mr Patnekar stated. 
Mr Ramesh Gawas, an environment activist and resident of Pajwada-Bicholim, said Bicholim residents are apprehensive about recurrence of floods in the town.
The North Goa collector, Mr Mihir Vardhan had paid a visit to the parallel bridge work site directing the senior officers of water resources department and the PWD to take necessary steps for smooth flow of river water in the monsoon.