Team Goemkarponn
Margao: Heavy pre-monsoon showers have damaged the embankment of the Rawanfond bridge in Margao, prompting authorities to suspend vehicular movement on the bridge for the past 24 hours as a safety precaution, officials said on Wednesday.
The partial collapse of the road embankment was reported on Tuesday, raising concerns over a water pipeline that runs along the damaged section and supplies water to Rawanfond and parts of Navelim. Officials warned that any further erosion could damage the pipeline. An electric pole located near the affected area is also at risk if the collapse worsens.
Preliminary reports suggest that the damage may have been caused by the ongoing construction of a support column for the new four-lane Rawanfond bridge.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant directed officials from the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), the Public Works Department (PWD), and the government’s consultant to inspect the site and initiate urgent remedial measures.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Damu Shirodkar visited the site on Wednesday along with officials from multiple agencies. Kamat said efforts are underway to restore partial connectivity by enabling one-way traffic across the bridge as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Margao Police Inspector Suraj Samant confirmed that the bridge remains closed for safety reasons. “The area has been cordoned off and monitored closely,” he said.
Earlier, the Traffic Department had issued a cautionary advisory citing the risk of landslides in and around Rawanfond due to intense rainfall in the region.
