Panaji, Dec 13 (TOI): The Congress party on Wednesday warned the state government that any move to close the Verna-Cortalim stretch for a period of one year and to divert traffic through Chicalim would have significant ramifications on commuters and patients travelling to Goa Medical College.

The Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress said that instead of closing the entire stretch for a period of one year, alternative arrangements should be made without increasing hassles for commuters.

"Here, without thinking, they are going for the bridge just because they want a bridge, which is a dream project," president of Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress, Pratima Coutinho said, as she accused the PWD of not planning the construction of the Zuari bridge properly.

Coutinho also challenged PWD minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar to travel from Panaji to Margao by bus before adding hassles for citizens by increasing the commuting distance.

"The BJP government is taking people for granted," Coutinho said, describing the diversion plan as a "circus" which would increase the distance between Panaji and Margao by 22km.