Team Herald
PONDA: Khandepar locals and PTA Members demanded a bus shed urgently at the dangerous OPA Khandepar Junction. Locals said the shed is of utmost importance since hundreds of students wait for buses at this junction by the side of the National Highway. They have demanded Curti Khandepar Panchayat and the PWD authorities to construct the shed on priority for the safety of the students.
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Social activist Sandeep Parkar said locals and parents fear for lives of children as recently one loaded truck proceeding from Ponda to Khandepar slope rammed into a hotel at OPA Junction after the driver lost control over his vehicle damaging a hotel. Luckily students had a narrow escape because they had boarded the bus minutes before the truck rammed into the hotel.
Divine providence seems to have saved many lives that day since the owner of the hotel was not feeling well and closed the premises and had gone to consult a doctor. When he returned he thanked his stars as his hotel is normally full of customers when the truck rammed into his hotel.
Sandeep said around 200 students wait on both the sides for a bus after schools close.
“Some three decades ago a woman was killed on the spot while her brother was seriously injured. After the tragic accident a local landlord had provided land for constructing a bus shed, but sadly later that land was encroached by some shop owners and the idea of a bus shed was altogether forgotten,” Sandeep said.
Suraj Garad, Vice President of PTA of MIBK High School, said some factories at Khandepar had even shown interest to construct shed at OPA Khandepar Junction provided the Curti Panchayat or the PWD allot space for constructing a shed. He said his daughter studies in Class VIII. Besides her there are so many students risking their lives standing on the National Highway without any safety, said Garad.
Though a four-lane bridge has been constructed as part of the National Highway the approach ramp/road towards Ponda side is not yet completed. However, the incomplete bridge was inaugurated three years back with politicians trying to hog limelight. In absence of an approach road/ramp the NH traffic while proceeding towards Belgaum takes internal road at OPA-Khandepar Junction which is accident prone.
