Audit old bridges, buildings in Goa: D’Souza

Panaji, Aug 3 (IANS) Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza on Wednesday said an audit of all old bridges and buildings in Goa was needed following the collapse of a British era bridge in Maharashtra.

D'Souza told reporters: "Audit has to take place of all old bridges and old buildings... If there are weak bridges, they have to be stopped from carrying passenger traffic."

At least two buses and several other vehicles went missing near Mahad city after a bridge on Savitri river collapsed on Wednesday due to torrential rains in the Konkan region.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the state Director General of Police had been directed to check if there are any Goans in the list of persons who have gone missing and feared drowned.

The bridge is located on the NH-17 connecting Panvel, on the outskirts of Mumbai and Goa.