PERNEM: Upset over the alleged negligent behavior of the highway contractor over his failure to ensure safety of commuters and repair roads within the given time, irate locals from Torxem and nearby villages blocked the NH 17 at Patradevi for nearly one hour on Friday morning.
What they were protesting against
The locals claimed that due to the absence of a service road, people face difficulties as heavy vehicles keep moving on the highway throughout the day on the internal small roads, which directly connect to the highway. This, local residents say, puts their lives in danger. People have also claimed that the contractor has taken up work of both the sides of the road at a time, as a result of which, commuters are facing great hardships, as there is no traffic signal or signboard to explain to them where they should proceed. The locals are facing hardships as well due to the dust pollution caused by the daily traffic.
“We had requested the supervisor to water the dusty road every day. The dust caused due to the continuous movement of vehicle enters people’s houses. The motorists also face problems while riding. When we asked the worker to water the road, he refused to do so. Engineers on the site are playing blame games when people question them about the road work. There is no service road due to which people in nearby areas face problem while commuting,” said a group of locals.
“Also in the absence of traffic signals and signboards, vehicles moving on the highway late at night go off road and the drivers lose control. Many locals have lost their lives and many have sustained injuries due to the potholes”, they added.
Pernem Police, Mamlatdar intervene
Pernem Mamlatdar Anant Malik and Pernem Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Praful Giri along with their teams rushed at the spot upon receiving the news about the highway block.
However, the agitated villagers were not ready to clear the highway and
demanded that the contractor and highway officials be summoned to the spot where they were carrying out their protest. Later, the Pernem Mamlatdar and PSI convinced the people to clear the highway with the assurance to immediately convene a meeting with officials of National Highway, contractor (MVR) and the locals.
Resolutions agreed upon at the meeting
The meeting was then held in the Mamlatdar’s office in the presence of National Highway officials, MVR, Torxem locals and Pernem police. Locals raised their grievances and after discussions were held, it was decided that the official-in-charge of the road work ensures that the road is watered regularly. Assurances were also given to the locals that the potholes would be repaired on an immediate basis. Further, it was decided that a provision would be made for a convenient access road for houses located near the highway.
