In its Goa poll manifesto released on Monday, the Congress has promised to build a “bridge” over a stretch of dry, landlocked area of Neura, 20 kms from here.

The faux pas was pointed out by mediapersons barely moments after the manifesto was released by senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes amidst much fanfare.

“Parallel Zuari Bridge will be built along with bridges at Terekhol, Talopna, Galgibag, Chodan, Cavelossim, Assolna, Diwar, Mandovi, Madkai and Neura,” the Congress manifesto reads in the ‘Infrastructure’ section.

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

State Congress president Subhash Shirodkar stepped in and said that the Neura village may have been included by accident. “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.

The Congress Government has faced villagers’ ire for sitting on a proposal to build a bridge from Aldona to Calvim, which they say would have prevented the accident from taking place and saved the lives of four children and two adults who perished in a bus mishap.

The manifesto was released by senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes and several other dignitaries including Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Luizinho Faleiro, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and other party officials.