Team Herald

PONDA: Strongly reacting to the major accident on Wednesday on the newly constructed flyover on the Farmagudi-Dhavlim four-lane National Highway, Bandora villagers on Thursday protested against the officials for hurriedly inaugurating the “faulty” flyover, despite their strong objection.

On Wednesday, a crane proceeding towards Dhavlim from Farmagudi lost control near Venkteshila Hotel and fell from a height of 7-metre height on the service road below the flyover. The crane operator died on the spot, while cleaner was seriously injured.

Firmly holding the officials of National Highway, PWD, Goa government and Bandora panchayat for the Wednesday’s accident, the protestors claimed that the November, 2018, gram sabha of the Bandora village strongly opposed the inauguration of the “faulty” flyover. 

The protestors demanded that the Chief Minister orders an inquiry into construction of flyover and suspend engineers for the faulty design. They alleged that the National Highway was not widened according to the original plan.

To mock the official for having inaugurated a “faulty” flyover, the protestors offered flowers and placed garlands on the inauguration name plaque. 

Prominent among the protestors were Adv Surel Tilve, Dinesh Gaunekar, Gurudas Naik and Goa Road Safety Forum convenor Dilip Naik.

Dinesh Gaunekar blamed former PWD minister and Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar for the series of accidents on the “faulty” flyover. He also accused the Bandora panchayat for being a puppet of Dhavalikar and approving the inauguration of the flyover.

Dilip Naik said that the road design is such that it is difficult to negotiate the 90 degree angle.

The protestors have demanded that the flyover be straightened by removing the sharp 90 degree turn to avoid fatal accidents. Failing which, they have threatened to launch an agitation.