Team Herald
PONDA: Traffic congestion along the 2.5 km narrow stretch of NH passing through Borim during peak hours has become a regular feature.
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Growing traffic has worsened the situation as the locals are desperately waiting for an early solution from the government to construct a bypass to decongest the village.
The 2.5 km narrow stretch of NH passing through Borim towards Margao often remains busy as vehicles from Belgaum and Karwar use the road besides the traffic from across the State. The government recently widened the one km stretch road at Bythokhol Circle, but the remaining 1.5 km stretch could not be taken up for widening on account of several houses located on both sides of road.
Villagers complain that they cannot cross the other side of the road due to massive queues of vehicles in both directions and minor accidents or breakdown of heavy vehicles adds to their woes. Festival celebrations attract a large number of devotees to the famous Sai Baba Temple in the village which also results in traffic jams.
Vinay Naik, a commuter said, “It is a nightmare travelling along the busy and congested road in the village due to the increasing vehicular movement. The old Borim Bridge has also become weak.”
Borim Sarpanch Jayesh Naik said, “The government had proposed a new Borim Bridge and bypass. It would take three to four years for its construction following which the problem is likely to be solved.”
It is pertinent to note that due to the proposed Borim Bridge, the affected farmers from Loutolim and Borim approached National Green Tribunal (NGT) opposing the project as they fear it will destroy their traditional khazan land and deprive them of their livelihood.
