PONDA: The rise in the incidents of dumping domestic waste by the roadside is evident in Ponda Taluka. Heaps of garbage is dumped by the sides of national highway as well as bypass roads.

The dumping of garbage at Bethora bypass near the junction has become a headache for the locals as they have to endure the foul smell.

The issue is affecting the villagers of Kajrawada, who commute via this road frequently. The demand to resolve the issue was made multiple times at the gram sabha. However, no action has been initiated so far.

The local panchayat has cleaned the area many times before and had also put up boards to prevent people from dumping garbage. Interestingly, the area near Bethora junction comes under the jurisdiction of Bethora Village Panchayat while Sapna Park falls under Kurti-Khandepar Village Panchayat.

According to Kajrawada locals, the waste is dumped by the locals from the neighbouring panchayat.

The waste also attracts dogs and herds of cattle, which pose a threat to the motorists, who drive at a relatively high speed along this highway.