In a sudden development the Chief Minister and Margao MLA Mr Digamber Kamat
went on an inauguration spree this evening in his home constituency Margao just
a day before the commencement of school academic year 2008-09 and exactly
three days before he hopes to complete an year in office.
With PWD Minister Mr Churchill Alemao, MLA Navelim and Chairperson of Margao
Municipal Council Mr Johnson Fernandes,a) one road under rail
(subway) near the Damodar College just North of the Railway crossing
behind Loyola school and b) two road over bridges were inaugurated one
near the ICCI Bank en route Fatima Convent and the other
just alongside the railway tracks near the old railway crossing
- Chapel.
The road under bridge (sub way ) is meant for cars and three wheelers while the
other two road over bridges are intended for two wheelers. There are no
side walks as of now and there is no scope of having one on either
of the two road overbridges . Negotiating around the bends will be a
little difficult and wide bodied cars may have to be a bit
cautious.
It may be recalled that the KRC had agreed to construct 3 "foot over
bridges" and one sub way on demand of the Goa Government and the
PWD Govt of Goa was to deal with the land acquisition 8590 m2 according to Sr
Regional Engineer KR Madgaon
It is also learnt that the PWD went on a land acquisition spree in November
2006 and many of the occupants were not aware of the same until the works
began. Some widows had struggled to have the bridge shifted to 10 mts
beyond their ancestral house as the bridge within the proximity of their
residence could render their property as an uneconomical holding. The
railways finally agreed to move it to around 6.2 mts and also agreed to
grant them permission if they so desire for any construction activity waiving
set back requirements. near KM 440/719.5 and KM 440/713
However one wonders how the KRC and the PWD have allowed a Building
almost touching the road over bridge at Pedda, KM 440/719.5i nstead of the 4.5
mts distance agreed by the KRC at the time of grant of NOC for a
"residential premise" NOT the present structure with offices and shops many
wondered.
Surprisingly as the works were brought to a stand still owing to these
developments the Railways continued their work (apparently owing to the local
MLA's desire to solve the taffic problem irrespective of the hardship to
the families concerned; ) and finally KRC by a letter to one of the
residents dated nil stated that " further shifting is not
possible as other parts of the bridge are completed"
Many of the motorists and two wheelers were caught unaware of the developments
today and continued to stay in "Q" for the gates to open after the
trains arrived as usual.
There is no doubt that these developments coming as it does a day before
re-opening of schools for the academic year 2008-2009 will be welcomed by
most parents and other school going children; but given the narrow structure
there is need for a the same to manned by the Traffic police at least during
peak hours to avert a tragedy.
With this one of Margao's major ills will have been set right by the MLA
leaving only the road crossing at Marliz Cafetaria in the heart of the city to
be dealt with.
When this writer visited the site and had first hand opinion from the users at
random, there were some women from the vicinity who expressed fears due to no
illumination on the bridge, mainly the two road over bridges. Others
feared that prostitution which goes on with full knowledge of the Margao police
will flourish now that the new "avenues " are provided.
Near the road under the bridge (subway) the works on the storm drains are still
being carried, out and according to a worker at the site he stated that the job
of approach roads and the storm drains are the works of the PWD and will be
completed shortly. This area was prone to flooding and Margaoites would
need to keep a watch on the developments.
Incidentally it may be noted that a cross which was more than 200 years and
whose feast was being celebrated every May was demolished albeit with the
"consent" of the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Grace Church and other
residents from Pedda; but with a rider that the same ought to be
constructed.
However according to the residents there seems to be no sign of the same.
Infact when some residents enquired of the same with the PWD and Railway
officials they feigned ignorance and instead were willing to give money to any
one who was willing to select an appropriate site and construct the same.
This angered many residents Hindus Moslems and Catholics from the area and they
were preparing for a show down with black placards demonstrations.
However according to one resident, it was the owing to the timely
intervention of a Margao based PI who was in civil clothes the residents
preferred not to marr the inauguration.
Many of those present at the site however expressed surprise over a ground plus
two storied building which has sprung up almost with windows of the
flats/offices of the unoccupied building being in full public view of the two
wheeler commuters on the bridge.
According to an official of the railways, who informed to this writer off
the record he has stated that permission was granted to one D Texeira for
construction of a residential bungalow in plot in Chalta Nos
291 PTS 237 which according to proper card records belongs to one
Sikander Makandar , The Railways had on
13.09.2004 & 23.09.2004 granted permission for construction for
a "residential premises" as the applicant to had
declared in application dated 23.09.2004 that " did not have plot in any other
place"
When this writer pointedly asked whether the construction with
shops and offices etc which has now sprung up post haste on par with the
construction of the bridge necessitating a re-alignment of the
bridge was a " residential premises" , he pleaded with folded hands to
stop questioning further admitting clearly that there was something
amiss.
An official of the MMC stated that the MMC had indeed vaguely approved the
lincence for "construction of building" on 27/10/2006 without
specifying whether Ground + one two etc in S1 setlement zone.
One passer by complained of the shoddy ways how the KRC the PWD the Dept
of Power failed to co-ordinate despite well over two years that
the works are underway.
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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