Calvim bridge is falling down? (ToI)

Calvim bridge is falling down? TNN | Aug 3, 2013, 02.08 AM IST MAPUSA: Fear and anxiety persist in the minds of the people living on Calvim island as some part of the bridge being currently constructed allegedly came crashing down into the river. Locals who live in the vicinity, around 200m from the bridge, heard the sound after the big metal bars fell into the river which put at risk the life of the workers working on the bridge. "At around 4.30pm on Thursday, a part of the fabricated steel portion of the Calvim bridge came crashing down into the river. There was a thundering sound which the people heard," said Nelson D'Cruz, a local. "It could have been a man-made disaster which could have claimed lives," said another local, Melwyn Fernandes. "The cause of the incident may be improper welding work which they are undertaking even in the heavy monsoon, at 2am at night, camouflaging it to patch up the incident," said D'Cruz. An engineer at the site, under the condition of anonymity, claimed that the no portion of the steel bars or bridge fell into the river and there was absolutely no problem with the on-going work. D'Cruz said that the ferry boat, whose services have been stopped for commuters, is being used to carry equipment for the bridge's construction, which is an illegal practice. "The students and office-goers are using the Aldona-Corjuem bridge which has increased the distance they travel by several kilometres. But, these workers are using the ferry to carry their equipment. The barge floaters which are actually supposed to cater to this work arrived at 1.30pm on Friday, fearing action after the incident," D'Cruz said. Managing director of Goa state infrastructure development corporation Sanjith Rodrigues said that nothing had happened at the Calvim bridge site. He dismissed the allegations that some part had fallen into the river, as rumours. Commenting on the ongoing work, he said the work has picked up pace despite inclement weather. In April this year, a worker died after he fell down while dismantling the high-tension electricity cable tower in Calvim. It was dismantled because of the obstruction it was causing to the work of constructing the Aldona-Calvim bridge. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Calvim-bridge-is-falling-down/articleshow/21563998.cms