BELGAUM: In an act of a Good Samaritan, a panchayat member from Khanapur taluka voluntarily came forward to fill huge potholes that were formed during the last rainy season along the Belgaum-Panjim NH4A highway via Anmod.
Devappa Gavada, former chairperson and member of Shindolli panchayat in Khanapur taluka, filled the potholes and pits formed on the highway by filling mud and gravel.
Apart from causing inconvenience to the commuters from Belgaum and Goa, several potholes that were formed during the last rainy season had been posing a threat to commuters, leading to a number of accidents along the route.
Under the pretext of the proposed four-laning of the highway, National Highway authorities had been indifferent to the maintenance of the highway between Belgaum and Anmod.
“I was moved by the plight of the commuters who had to face tough time in commuting on the national highway. Many were unaware of the bad condition of the road and their vehicles would encounter a breakdown as a result. Hence, I used my own tractor and with the assistance of some friends, I tried to do whatever I could in my capacity,” Gavada told Herald.
“I only pray to God to open eyes of the authorities, who have vanished for over a year,” he added.
He along with others residents blamed the NHAI authorities for delaying the four-laning work of the NH4A highway.
Incidentally, the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the problems faced by the commuters was reflected, as no official was available to comment on the proposed road-widening project.
