Team Herald
PONDA: The locals of Shantinagar-Ponda including MGP leader Dr Ketan Bhatikar, and Ponda Municipal Council Councillor Geetali Talavlikar on Friday demanded immediate construction of a retaining wall near a huge chamber dug by one builder for construction of building to the save the road and surrounding houses from being collapsed.
With the huge gathering of the locals, Ponda Police rushed at the site to maintain law and order. The Shantinagar locals, Dr Bhatikar and Councillor Geetali strongly opposed to the digging of a huge chamber having depth of more than six metres deep and spread in 500 metres at a roadside which is located at foot hill, by one builder.
Dr Bhatikar said, “The road could collapse any time as the depth of the chamber is several metres deep and the foundation of the building is close to the road.”
He questioned, “How can seven-storey building can be approved close to the road with parking at underground.”
Since the damage has been done to the roadside, he demanded that the builder should immediately construct a retaining wall before going for construction work of the building failing which warned to launch an agitation.
Councillor Geetali, whose house is situated opposite, the area where the digging is being done said, “Despite the opposition from the locals the builder is carrying out with the digging and construction work of the building.”
She said, “Builder has done digging in entire 520 sq mts of the plot and dumping the construction material on the roadside causing traffic congestion.”
She said, “When I realised the danger of digging I even managed to pass a resolution to revoke the licence for it.” “With the monsoon approaching the road may collapse anytime due to weight of the passing vehicles and poses a risk to my house located in opposite direction.”
Geetali said, “An inquiry should be conducted how the PDA approved such inappropriate plan.”
When contacted PMC Chairperson Venktesh Naik said a notice had been issued to the said builder for conducting dangerous work.
He said that the previous council had permitted the construction of the building. Only four metres depth was allowed for digging. However, the builder dug more than six metres.
“If the builder fails to construct the retaining wall at the roadside, we will order to fill up the chamber and restore the plot for the safety of the road and surrounding houses,” he added.
