NT NETWORK
VALPOI
Motorists taking the Honda-Sonshi road near Sundaram Hall have a harrowing time as the narrow bridge is in a dilapidated state.
Also, heavy traffic congestion occurs at the bridge due to rush of tourist vehicles. The existing bridge is around 8 to 10 metres long and 5 metres wide which can allow one bus to pass at a time.
“The bridge is very narrow and another vehicle coming from the opposite side will have to either wait or negotiate a turn risking the life of the driver,” pointed a motorist.
Over the years, the flow of traffic has increased manifold as the bridge is a key route for hundreds of motorists from Valpoi and Honda to reach Panaji via Sonshi and Amona.
With lack of safety indicators such as reflectors to alert motorists using the stretch especially during nights, accidents have become a regular feature on the narrow bridge. A large number of mining trucks also use the bridge to reach the mines located in the mining belt at Sonshi resulting in many accidents.
It is understood that the work on expansion of the bridge was undertaken but was left incomplete for reasons best known to the concerned authority. The residents have demanded completion of the bridge work at the earliest in order avoid any serious accident.