Team Goemkarponn
CORTALIM: Congress leader Olencio Simoes, along with local residents, on Monday voiced strong opposition to the proposed Eiffel Tower-inspired twin towers project on the new Zuari bridge, which was recently announced by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Speaking to reporters, Simoes criticised the government for focusing on luxury projects while basic infrastructure in the constituency remains in poor condition.
“We are strongly condemning the plans of the government to set up Eiffel Tower-inspired twin towers at the new Zuari bridge,” Simoes said. “Why is the government prioritising the spending of Rs 270 crore while ignoring the people of Cortalim, who are struggling for basic needs?”
He alleged that the project, pegged at Rs 270 crore, is designed to benefit private operators and could escalate to over Rs 350 crore by the time it nears completion.
“The people of Cortalim are suffering since the BJP came to power. We don’t have proper water supply, and there are power cuts more than four times a day,” he said.
Simoes further pointed out the lack of essential services in the area. “We don’t have proper roads, and healthcare has worsened with hospitals not functioning properly. There is no proper garbage or sewage treatment either. The government is trying to fool the people in the name of development.”
Questioning the intent behind the project, Simoes asked, “Why should the government prioritise twin towers when the people of the constituency are struggling? We want to know who will benefit from these twin towers and whether Cortalim locals will get any benefit at all.”
He also expressed disappointment over the unfulfilled promises of housing and rehabilitation. “The government made several assurances of rehabilitation at Zuarinagar and promised a good housing scheme but has forgotten these assurances. They only use the people during elections and then destroy our village after the polls.”
Simoes demanded that the government focus on resolving local issues before taking up luxury projects. “The government must first prioritise local issues, law and order, housing, and basic infrastructure. Only after addressing these can they think about such luxury projects, which don’t benefit the locals of the constituency,” he asserted.
