PONDA: With PWD Minister Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar declaring that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has agreed to inaugurate the new Khandepar Bridge on December 10, the locals fear that bridge without an approach road at Opa junction will lead to accidents.
The locals, who submitted a memorandum to Executive Engineer of NH office at Ponda on Tuesday, fear that the bridge if opened without the approach road then it could result in accidents and even damage property in the area. They have requested the completion of the approach road work first and then inaugurate the bridge to ensure the safety of locals.
It is learnt that the major reason for not constructing the approach road is that a house is located in the area connecting the Khandepar Bridge. The house owner has filed petition in the court and since the matter is sub judice, the NH authorities did not go ahead with approach road work.
After the bridge inauguration, vehicles crossing the bridge, will be diverted to the service road at OPA Junction near underpass, locals said and expressed fear that this could result in accidents. The new bridge has been constructed parallel to Old Khandepar Bridge on Opa River due to traffic congestion on narrow old Khandepar Bridge. Thousands of vehicles including those transporting milk and vegetables from Belgaum to Goa commute along the old bridge on Khandepar River.
It is learnt that the approach road connecting the new bridge will be constructed later and will be ready in March 2019 as the government has extended the period to contractor.
