Maina bridge collapses due to mining transportation

The side wall of the bridge over the Corca River at Maina - Quepem has collapse on Thursday December 11, 2008 due to the heavy transportation of mining truck from Colomba and Surcorna. Inspite of collapse the mining trucks continue to transport while irritated villagers blocked the road for mining truck.

Villagers informed that on Thursday December 11, 2008 morning at around 11.30 am due to transportation of heavy mining truck the side of the road near the Corca river bridge at Maina collapsed endaengering transportation by the road. The villagers further informed inspite of the collapse of the side of the bridge the mining companies continued to transport over the bridge even in the evening session. The irritated villagers then blocked the road for mining truck.

It may be recalled that as the road from Colomba Rivona side is in a dilapidated condition, the villagers stopped transportation of mining truck from the commencement of this year mining season and are determine to stop it till the hot mixing of the road is completed. Presently the work of the road at Colomba and Sulcorna is under progress. In the meantime inspite of protest from the villagers of Quepem the mining companies were transporting ore from Sulcorna, Colomba via Quepem town.

One of the elderly villagers from Maina informed that the bridge is not fit for heavy transport as its foundation is weak and presently the bridge has developed cracks. That inspite of knowing the condition of the bridge the mining companies continues to transport over it and the authorities are mute spectators. "If the transport continued then the bridge will collapse sooner or late which will cause great hardship to us" villagers warned.

The Mamlatdar of Quepem, the Quepem police and the officials of Public Works Department (PWD) department on Friday December 12, 2008 morning inspected the site.

Meanwhile the villager of Cavrem filed a complaint before the Dy-Collector of Quepem complaining that the bridge at Cavrem is very weak and due to the transportation of heavy mining truck the bridge may collapse at any moment.

John Fernandes