PORVORIM: While the Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza called for an immediate need to audit the strength of Portuguese-era bridges in the State, the Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) Ramakrishna, alias Sudin, Dhavalikar confirmed that all the bridges operational in Goa are very much safe for the commuters.
In the wake of a tragedy wherein an old British era bridge connecting Poladpur to Mahad in Maharashtra along the Mumbai-Goa highway collapsed on Tuesday night, D’Souza felt the need to audit the strength of the bridges in Goa.
“The incident is a wake-up call for us to look at the state of affairs of our own bridges,” he commented.
“There is a need to audit the strength of existing Goan bridges and roads. Most of the existing bridges were built during Portuguese time and they are still in use,” D’Souza told media persons.
When asked, Dhavalikar said that government conducts audit of bridges every six months to check its strength. “And I am happy to say that all the bridges in Goa are very much safe to travel,” he said.
“Even the old Mandovi and Zuari bridge are safe for commuters,” Dhavalikar, who is also Transport Minister, stated.
The minister said that in Goa there are very few Portuguese era bridges located in Sanguem, Quepem and Bicholim.
Earlier, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar informed State Legislative assembly that directions are issued to the Director General of Police to find out whether any Goans are involved in the tragedy.
“On Goa-Mumbai road at Mahad an old bridge has collapsed and few vehicles including two buses carrying passengers are missing. I have asked Goa DGP to check whether fatalities include Goans in it,” Parsekar told the House when session began.
“Till now there is no information about the Goans involved in the accident. Government has kept a constant watch. We are in constant touch with the authorities there. We will do whatever is required,” he said.
The Chief Minister appealed to people not to panic.
At least 22 people are missing after two State Transport buses and two to three private cars washed away due to collapse of a bridge, on Tuesday night around 11.30.
Herald Goa News
In the wake of a tragedy wherein an old British era bridge connecting Poladpur to Mahad in Maharashtra along the Mumbai-Goa highway collapsed on Tuesday night, D’Souza felt the need to audit the strength of the bridges in Goa.
“The incident is a wake-up call for us to look at the state of affairs of our own bridges,” he commented.
“There is a need to audit the strength of existing Goan bridges and roads. Most of the existing bridges were built during Portuguese time and they are still in use,” D’Souza told media persons.
When asked, Dhavalikar said that government conducts audit of bridges every six months to check its strength. “And I am happy to say that all the bridges in Goa are very much safe to travel,” he said.
“Even the old Mandovi and Zuari bridge are safe for commuters,” Dhavalikar, who is also Transport Minister, stated.
The minister said that in Goa there are very few Portuguese era bridges located in Sanguem, Quepem and Bicholim.
Earlier, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar informed State Legislative assembly that directions are issued to the Director General of Police to find out whether any Goans are involved in the tragedy.
“On Goa-Mumbai road at Mahad an old bridge has collapsed and few vehicles including two buses carrying passengers are missing. I have asked Goa DGP to check whether fatalities include Goans in it,” Parsekar told the House when session began.
“Till now there is no information about the Goans involved in the accident. Government has kept a constant watch. We are in constant touch with the authorities there. We will do whatever is required,” he said.
The Chief Minister appealed to people not to panic.
At least 22 people are missing after two State Transport buses and two to three private cars washed away due to collapse of a bridge, on Tuesday night around 11.30.
Herald Goa News
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