########################################################################## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
Don't just read the news, join many others in discussing it. http://www.goanet.org/mailman/pipermail Bridge that could make living easy. But life difficult. By Paul Fernandes Reporting from Divar It's a choice between construction of a link and a destruction of way of life. It's a choice that will bring the mainland close to Divar. At the possible risk of taking away the essence of Divar from Divar. Though much water has flown past the Divar ferry point since the villagers scuttled a move to test the soil for the construction of a bridge nearly two decades ago, a chorus for a link is just beginning to be heard. Gram sabhas of both panchayats on the island, Goltim-Navelim and Sao Mathias had endorsed a resolution passed earlier for a link to the Tiswadi mainland. Now a signature campaign is in the offing to strengthen the case for a bridge. Says a retired villager, "Poor people want it because it costs time and money to cross the river." Some six ferry-boats at Sao Pedro, Old Goa, Vanxim and Naroa cater to the 5,000-odd population in four hamlets of Goltim, Navelim, Malar and Naroa. Each two-wheeler has to pay Rs 8 and the car Rs 16 for a two-way crossing. After midnight, a special trip costs Rs 100. Islanders who want isolation say the other camp has not foreseen the problems ahead or they have no feeling for the land. A construction boom is inevitable after a bridge to the idyllic island as Chimbel, Ribandar and even Old Goa is reaching a saturation point. "This will spell disaster to its ecology, pristine nature and the vast khazan lands," says a villager elder "If they want to preserve the pristine beauty of the island, having a bridge would ruin it," says Kait Heredia, former Mumbai-based company director. The government has power to convert the cultivable comunidade land for some housing scheme or public utility, villagers feel. But Nelson Azavedo, a gaonkar of a local comunidade argues, "The government cannot acquire the land as it has not assumed landlordism through proper land reforms." Many say that the absence of the bridge was a blessing in disguise. According to Azavedo, "If the island is clean and green, it is because we are left alone." Adds another villager, "At night, even thieves cannot get away." For this reason, many return here after retirement from distant lands and more want to come. The island presents a neat picture of compact communes with uncluttered houses and a fine network of roads. Barring a shortage of taped water and the absence of a doctor residing there, other facilities are available. Buses go to both ferry points from different parts of the island, barring some remote hamlets. Those campaigning for a bridge say they are not interested in heavy traffic through Divar. "We do not want a corridor passing through the island," says Mario Pinto, former sarpanch of Goltim-Navelim, A survey was done a couple of years back by some experts to locate a site to connect Chorao with Ribandar near the old hospital and it was thought to link Divar through a fork in the bridge. Pinto feels a link would make islanders living in Panaji or elsewhere think of coming back. But he agrees that some are opposed to the bridge fearing a construction boom. Even former chief minister Pratapsing Rane had not favoured a a link as it would spoil the beauty of the place, he adds. Says Mario Cabral, a senior journalist who lives on the island, "It is not a quiet island any more, you have to see the situation from the balance of convenience." There are a sizeable number of people who have no vehicles and depend on buses. Heredia says that instead of a costly bridge, ferry transport may be cheaper. The demand for a bridge is based on cost and convenience. If there is a dependable 24-hour free cross river transport, then it may be convenient. An islander suggests the revival of the launch from Panaji. Meanwhile, the Sao Mathias panchayat has demanded free use of the ferry for vehicle owners, according to secretary Mahesh Naik. "Even cycle riders are charged for the crossing," laments a villager. The debate goes continues on whether the bridge will make living easy. But life difficult. (ENDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 7000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. GoanetReader welcomes feedback, posted to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goanet, 1994-2004, building community and social capital for a decade. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------