PERNEM: The sub-standard work and continues movement of heavy vehicles on the national highway between Patradevi and Dhargal have deteriorated the road condition making it difficult for the daily commuters to commute especially the motorists.
Due to the ongoing work of the four lane highway and movement of heavy vehicles, the road has developed potholes and the authorities have turned a blind eye towards it.
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The work of national highway expansion had commenced in the year 2018. However, due to irresponsible attitude of the concerned highway contactor, from 2018 to till date, more than 20 people have lost their lives.
In 2018 around 51 accidents occurred on the Patradevi to Dhargal road stretch in which 70 people sustained major injuries while 11 succumbed.
In 2019, 52 accidents occurred, wherein 41 people were injured and seven died and with the beginning of year 2020 till date, more than 13 accidents have occurred in which seven people have severely injured while two lost their lives. Most of the people who were severely injured are still recovering.
Though, the people of Pernem agitated and blocked the national highway several times demanding with the highway authorities to take up measures to avoid accidents and deaths, still the authorities and the highway contractor have continued with the sub-standard work while taking the lives of the people for granted. Due to the sub-standard work carried out by the contractor, the road near railway bridge has caved in twice.
Several representations were also submitted to Deputy Collector Pernem, Mamlatdar and Pernem Police Station with a demand to file criminal case against the highway contractor for his irresponsible attitude and failure to take precautionary measures to stop the ongoing work. However, no action has been taken till date. The contractor is only carrying out patch work.
“Work of the national highway extension is going on without keeping the safety measures in place for the commuters. Due to the irrepressible attitude of the highway contractor, several families have lost their loved ones. The road has developed huge potholes making it difficult for commuters to avoid it especially during the night,” Khemraj Raul, a local youth informed.
