CPI SEES RED IN VIEW OF SIOLIM-CHOPDEM BRIDGE OPENING In an open letter dated 17th June, 2002, addressed to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Christopher Fonseca, Secretary of Communist Party of India (Goa), has cautioned the government to ensure that the opening of the Siolim-Chopdem Bridge is not carried out in haste before ensuring that the bottlenecks likely to be created to the smooth flow of the increased traffic, in the villages on either side of the bridge, are cleared. The letter also says, "While we join the people in Goa in rejoicing at the fact that the bridge will be completed and put to use for the benefit of the traveling public after a long wait and delay, may we point out that this happy development will throw up new problems".
One of the main problems foreseen by Fonseca, who was a CPI candidate for the Siolim constituency, is: "The opening of the bridge will cause permanent loss of livelihood to the people of Siolim and Chopdem, specially those who have woven their livelihood on the banks of the river and near the ferry-points. The change is going to be an ordeal for them, causing negation of livelihood for the people at the Siolim bazaar, to the small shopkeepers and their workers, gaddas, tea stalls, fish, meat, vegetable and flower sellers, taximen, tempos, rickshaw and motorcycle pilots, toddy tappers, liquor vendors and others." The letter says, "We propose that the government should conduct a 'spot survey' and publish a 'white paper' with a concrete action plan to ensure that all those, who are affected, should be duly rehabilitated or compensated for the permanent loss of livelihood and opportunity. "The consequence of the opening of the bridge will result into congestion on the very narrow out reaches of the connecting roads, which are insufficient to service this increased traffic." The letter also refers to the totally run down condition of the connecting roads at Cunchelim, Assagao, Badem, Caisua and Anjuna, which have not seen repairs for a very long time. Fonseca points out that the Siolim-Chopdem ferry boats should not be decommissioned completely, but at least a skeleton service retained to enable people from nearby areas to cross the river and travel to and fro. The letter also strikes a note of caution on the environmental front, stating, "The Chapora/Caisua River is dying a slow death. The once deep and blue river is growing shallow due to the rapid siltation, a huge 'silt bank' has been allowed to thrive right in the middle of the river due to the crass neglect and apathy of the succeeding governments. The multiple-pier bridge has further accentuated this siltation process." Hence it requests the government to dredge the river for the benefit of navigation, growth of fish, shell-fish and aquatic life, for which the river was once known all over. "There have been repeated reports that one of the pillars/columns of the Siolim-Chopdem bridge is defective. In the interest of one and all we caution the government to maintain an eagle's vigil on the bridge to regulate its safety and use, and a double-check ought to be conducted on the 'faulty column'," Fonseca states. In conclusion, he says, "The government should seriously ponder over the issues raised here above and take steps to rectify the same on a war-footing." * * * ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ To unsubscribe from Goanews Send a mail message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: 'unsubscribe goanews'
