Cortalim Villagers and Congress Leader Slam Goa Government, Nitin Gadkari Over Rs 270 Cr ‘Twin Towers’ Project at Zuari Bridge
Call for focus on road safety, power, water, and basic infrastructure instead of ‘fancy tourism gimmicks’
Cortalim, Goa – Congress leader Olencio Simoes along with concerned villagers of Cortalim launched a scathing attack on the Goa government and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, for what they called a “wasteful and misplaced” expenditure of Rs 270.07 crore on the construction of twin towers at the new Zuari Cable Bridge.
Addressing the media, Simoes expressed deep concern over the government’s prioritization of “fancy tourism gimmicks” over the pressing and basic needs of the local population. “This project may boast Eiffel Tower-style structures, revolving restaurants, and art galleries, but our people are struggling for essential services like power, water, and road safety,” said Simoes.
The twin towers, set to be completed in five years, aim to serve as a global landmark with world-class amenities and a 7.5-meter-wide skywalk connecting both marine sides. However, Simoes questioned the rationale behind such a project when, across Goa, 61 accident-prone black spots remain unattended, and when India loses around 1.78 lakh lives annually to road accidents. “In Goa alone, we’ve already seen 22 fatal cases this year — this is where the government should be investing,” he emphasized.
Simoes further highlighted the deplorable state of infrastructure in the Cortalim constituency, which houses two major industrial hubs — Sancoale and Verna. “Despite this, residents face frequent power cuts — sometimes 3 to 4 times a day — disrupting daily life and causing significant losses to businesses,” he noted.
Water supply is another major concern, with villagers reportedly receiving only 2 to 3 hours of water a day, forcing many to depend on costly water tankers. The area also lacks a garbage segregation system, a proper waste management plant, and a sewerage system — a grave concern especially with several multi-dwelling residential projects underway in the region.
“We urge the Chief Minister to focus on real needs — power, water, roads, and sanitation. This is what the people of Cortalim want, not towering monuments that do little for their daily struggles,” said Simoes.
He concluded by calling on the Goa government to generate and allocate adequate funds for resolving the constituency’s basic infrastructural challenges before spending crores on “futuristic fantasy projects.”
