RO -RO Ferry

Today’s headlines need no explanation to those living in Goa. The existing bridge across river Zuari at Cortalim ( On the Panaji- Margao highway) is being junked (it has been a junk since the last ten years with only light traffic, two wheelers and pedestrians being allowed to cross it) and the RO-RO (short for roll on-roll off) ferry service is planned at the place to cross the river. The ferry will carry trucks, buses, cars, people, cattle, dogs and what not and our politicians hail the project saying that the heavy vehicles which had to take a detour via Ponda need not do so any more. They say that It saves time, fuel, driver’s energy etc etc and reduces congestion on the smaller Borim bridge and Ponda - Panaji road etc etc, blah, blah blah. RO RO service is another feather in the cap of our politicians and citizens of Goa are lucky to have such leaders who can provide such facilities.

I have no intentions of contesting their claims, intelligence, foresight and other qualities but my memory does not allow me to keep quiet.

When I entered Goa twenty five years back, there was no bridge across river Zuari at Cortalim. There was a very efficient ferry service which used to carry buses, cars, trucks scooters and people free of charge. We used to alight from the bus at one bank of the river, get into the waiting ferry along with a truck, a bus, few cars and a dozen scooters, cross the river, get into another waiting bus at the other bank and proceed to Panaji. No trouble and no loss of time.

Our politicians decided to make it even easier for the citizens. The construction of a bridge was thought off so that people, buses and trucks (along with dogs and cattle) could just zoom across the river on the bridge without the hassle of getting into and out of the ferry. The bridge was constructed and it made things smooth for everyone for all of five years. All the politicians who could reach their backs , patted their backs themselves and claimed part in the successful completion of the project.

Within five years it developed cracks, there were doubts of its stability and safety and heavy traffic was stopped. Traffic had to take a detour via Ponda over the weaker Borim bridge and narrower ponda- Panaji road.

Now the ferry service is being planned.

We are exactly where we were twenty five years back. Our rulers made money on the bridge, on its repair and now will make more money on the contracts for the very efficient ferry service which is going to erase our hardships. Another bridge across the river is also being planned. They are reaching for their backs once again. Lucky we citizens! I dare not think where we would have been without our well meaning and very intelligent rulers!