TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
BELGAUM: While the 51 kms road between Belgaum and Goa via Chorla has become a traveller’s paradise, a 15-km stretch of the Chorla Ghat is turning out to be commuters’ nightmare.
A large number of potholes between Chorla and Keri have made this section cumbersome for motorists.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was in Belgaum on Sunday, had felicitated the contractor from Karnataka who completed the road between Belgaum and Chorla.
“Now, it may be interesting to see whether the chief minister, who himself has travelled by this road, takes up the matter on priority for the welfare of the commuters,” said a traveller using the route.
It may be recalled that about a year ago, situation was completely different. While the Karnataka section between Jamboti and Chorla was completely dilapidated, the Goa section was in good condition and was acclaimed by commuters. However, the situation has reversed completely now and needs attention of authorities. The stretch immediately after the entry tax toll plaza is the worst.
“If Goa government has started charging entry tax on vehicles from outside Goa, it is the duty of the government to get this road repaired immediately,” a transporter from Bijapur said adding that one of the reasons that has been attributed to the damage to the road is the rise in movement of overloaded heavy vehicles.
Meanwhile, a large number of Goans are now using this route to Belgaum as it is shorter and convenient. Especially on the weekends, one can witness the beeline of Goan vehicles on the route. As Ganesh festival is approaching, a large number of Goans will visit Belgaum during the next fortnight, hence commuters are demanding immediate repair of the dilapidated stretches in Chorla Ghat.
