-- Samir Umarye
A 25-year-old bridge at Manaswada Mulgao is in a dilapidated condition with the residents fearing that it could collapse at any moment. As per a report the small, one-pillar bridge was constructed 25 years ago. The residents had demanded the bridge as the distance from Mulgao to Assonora would be reduced with the help of this bridge. After the demand the then Bicholim MLA and transport minister, Pandurang Raut had constructed the bridge which helped the residents. Today, after so many years the condition of the bridge is very bad. Even though the bridge appears to be in good condition from outside, the cement of the bridge has already collapsed and the iron rods are protruding out from the entire lower part of the bridge. “There is constant traffic on this road and something should be done to repair the bridge. This is the only shortest link between Mulgao and Assonora and if it collapses then it will be a big problem for the people of Mulgao,” said Premnath Mandrekar from Mulgao. According to sources if one takes this bridge the distance from Mulgao to Assonora is just 2 kms while traveling via Walshi it increases to more than 5 kms. “This bridge needs immediate repairs. The government should either demolish this bridge or construct a new one in its place,” said Amrut Mandrekar from the same village. “There are even school buses which use this small bridge. But if it collapses there could be a great damage to life and property,” Amrut said adding “in case of any accident on the main road of Bicholim to Assonora the entire traffic is diverted through Mulgao and this small bridge has to bear the weight of all this traffic.” Local panch Gajanan Mandrekar had also similar views about the issue and feels that the bridge needs to be restored or rebuilt. “There is an urgent need to repair the bridge as the bridge is totally damaged from its bottom. If nothing is done there are chances that it could collapse at any time,” Gajanan said. “We have also approached our local MLA and informed him about this issue,” he added.