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----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CROSSING SOCORRO OPEN TUNNEL IS A NIGHTMARE TO VILLAGERS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For the villagers of Socorro, Bardez, 'bobd' an open tunnel, has been the main artery and the shortest access road. Since the time it was taken up for 'repairs' nearly a year ago, the bobd has become one of the main issues affecting the villagers. All the government authorities have been approached by the Socorro Civic and Consumer Forum, but a solution still eludes them. It has become highly risky and volatile to use the tunnel as the last monsoon saw several landslides following which the road had to be closed for vehicular traffic as well as for pedestrians. At the recent meeting of the forum, many members decried the lackadaisical attitude that seems to be displayed by the officials concerned regarding the highly volatile condition of the Socorro bobd open tunnel which is the main and shortest access road from the NH-17 to the Zoswaddo, Maina and Ambirna wards of Socorro village. The work, taken in hand a few months before the Assembly elections, seemed a welcome move to provide relief to the villagers by cutting the height of the steep road which passed between high and nearly vertical walls at the top of the hill. In fact, no one knew the logic behind what was perceived as an altruistic step. The tunnel was cut vertically at 90 degree. However after several months of cutting, the road was opened to public just before the monsoons without asphalting. During the monsoons the road became wet, muddy and slippery and there were several landslides through which 4-wheelers could just squeeze past. A number of accidents were also reported. At the gram sabha in July '02, the sarpanch could not provide an explanation about the status of the bobd. It was expected that the government would take up the matter after the BJP leaders were apprised of the situation during the gram abhiyan campaign in October 2002. Incidentally, after the BJP lost the seat (Aldona), there has hardly been any work undertaken on the bobd. The present MLA Dayanand Narvekar has also been apprised of the situation during his meetings with the villagers on more than two occasions. Fearing a law and order situation arising from a possible collapse of the walls of the bobd, the Socorro Civic and Consumer Forum alerted the mamlatdar of Bardez to conduct a site inspection and take immediate action under Section 133 of CrPC. However, all the action taken seems to be merely cosmetic as only the rubble from the minor landslides has been cleared while the danger still remains. Subsequent to the last meeting of the Forum, the mamlatdar and the Deputy Collector have been served with reminders with copies to the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department and the Collector, North Goa.The officials concerned have also been reminded of the threat of damage to life and property. Other matters discussed at the Forum meeting were Health issues, facilities available at the local sub-health centre, stray dog nuisance, stray cattle menace causing loss of livelihood to farmers, review of the home delivery of gas cylinders, gram sabha proposals and traffic safety on the Highway. The cable TV problems and the preparation of senior citizen ID cards also came up for discussion. The next meeting of the Forum is on February 6 at 6.30 pm at Zoswaddo, says a press note issued by Valentine Coelho, convenor of the Forum. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- HERALD 1/2/03 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
