Mapusa: With the southwest monsoon fast approaching, uncertainty clouds the opening of the crucial Chandel-Hasapur bridge near Mopa international airport. The delay has sparked widespread panic among residents of Chandel-Hasapur, who fear complete isolation if the temporary alternative route fails during heavy downpours.
Project Delays and Concerns
The Rs 20 crore steel bridge project, intended to replace a dangerous, four-decade-old structure, officially commenced in January 2026. However, bureaucracy and administrative oversights significantly hindered its progress, according to sources. Without the new bridge, the alternative is a frail pipe bridge that may not withstand the monsoon.
“If the new bridge is not opened before the monsoon, the bridge built with pipes on the alternative route will be washed away due to the floods, disrupting traffic. Moreover, the road built with soil filling is likely to erode. If an accident occurs, the construction officer will be fully responsible,” said Uday Mahale, a local resident.
Construction Status
While structural construction of the new Chandel-Hasapur bridge has entered its final phases on a war footing, authorities have admitted that opening the route to actual vehicular traffic before the rains arrive in Goa is virtually impossible. A two-month delay in issuing the official work order, coupled with an entire month lost to coordination chaos within the water resources department, severely compressed the construction timeline, sources added.
Despite workers rushing to tie iron structures and pour concrete over newly mounted main iron arches, the remaining 15 to 20 days before the monsoons are simply not enough to finish the vital surface layer and allow the concrete to cure safely.
Impact on Commuters
Compounding the problem is the fragile state of the current diversion. Commuters have spent the last five months navigating a temporary pipe bridge built on soil filling. Local activists and leaders, including Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar, have voiced deep reservations regarding the structural integrity of this bypass.
The potential failure of the temporary route could leave residents of Chandel-Hasapur completely isolated, cutting off access to essential services and the airport. The community is urging authorities to expedite work and ensure safety measures are in place before the monsoon arrives.
