Team Herald 

PONDA: Ponda MLA Ravi Naik inspected the newly constructed four-lane road along the National Highway at Kerya following complaints of several cracks being developed along the stretch. 

After hearing the grievances of the commuters, he assured to arrange a meeting between the locals and NH PWD officials on June 19. 

Locals said they are worried over the worst condition of newly constructed NH road at Kerya Khandepar with the first downpour. They said if this is the situation now, then what would be state of the road following heavy rains. 

Locals claimed that that due to sub standard work of NH at Kerya the newly constructed four lane road was flooded in absence of a proper drainage system. Two days later, there was panic among locals as the NH developed cracks. The service road has been damaged. They further complained that their houses were flooded due to lack of proper drainage system.

The locals recalled that last year too they had to undergo hardship due to landslide at Kerya on account of faulty planning and vertical hill cutting. The landslide forced the authorities to close the NH for over fifteen days. The locals are concerned as the new road is on elevated road constructed by filling huge valley with mud at Kerya. 

It may be recalled that the locals had in past staged an agitation opposing the construction of a huge wall and demanding that a flyover be built instead which was ignored by authorities citing cost factor. Now, the locals fear that this road would cave in due to substandard work.

Locals have demanded a vigilance probe into the matter and claimed that the said contractor is trying to hide his fault by covering the cracked road with concrete.

Locals have also demanded a proper drainage system and gutters to ensure there is no flooding in the area in future. 

Locals claimed that all houses on NH were cleared and the new Khandepar Bridge was constructed which is still incomplete as approach road towards Ponda side is not ready due to a house. When all houses were cleared for NH, why only this house was spared which stands in the path of the bridge approach road, the locals questioned.

MLA Ravi Naik alleged that the NH work has been carried out hurriedly and without proper planning and that’s the reason the locals are forced to undergo hardship. He assured to solve their problems by discussing the issue with the government.