Congress ‘promises’ bridge in river-less terrain

Panaji : In a major gaffe, the Congress election manifesto Monday has promised a bridge in Goa’s Neura village — which is landlocked with no river or rivulet anywhere near it.

The glaring error was pointed out by media persons moments after the manifesto for the March 3 elections was released by Congress leader Oscar Fernandes and others including Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

“Parallel Zuari bridge will be built along with bridges at Terekhol, Talopna, Galgibag, Chodan, Cavelossim, Assolna, Diwar, Mandovi, Madkai and Neura,” the manifesto reads.

When Kamat was asked to clarify how a bridge could be built in a landlocked region, he stumbled saying there must be someplace in Neura where a bridge might be necessary.

It was state Congerss president Subhash Shirodkar who stepped in and said that Neura village, located 15 km from Panaji, may have been included by mistake.

“I think it is Cortalim (a village which adjoins the Zuari river in South Goa district) where they might have wanted to say. It needs correction perhaps,” Shirdokar said.