The Atal Setu across the River Mandovi which was amidst great fanfare projected to be Goa’s wonder is so soon headed for a disaster.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) which has been alleged to be a den for rampant corruption has to be made answerable for this nightmare.
The huge potholes on this bridge and other recurring defects is a matter of concern. The problems may now be perennial. An independent probe and audit of the bridge is required to fix responsibility. The contractor must be brought to book and the GSIDC officials must be also fastened to the nearest lamppost if they colluded in this colossal loss to the state exchequer.
After two years of its inauguration the work of the bridge is not yet completed in all respects and the debris lying all over. More importantly the work on one arm of the bridge which was supposed to be for entering the city has been abandoned and there is no explanation whatsoever.
The government must also ensure that the existing traffic bottlenecks from Guirim to Porvorim are cleared, without which the traveling time from North to South Goa will not be curtailed which was one of the tall objectives of Atal Setu.
