Locals and Social Workers Raise Alarm Over Ongoing Construction Work Following Last Year’s Landslide
In Bicholim, concerns are growing among local residents and social workers regarding the safety and quality of ongoing construction work on the town’s new bypass road. The project has come under scrutiny following a landslide that occurred last year due to heavy rainfall, which exposed potential issues related to hill cutting and road stability.
The landslide incident raised red flags about the methods and safety precautions being implemented during the bypass construction. Locals have voiced strong criticism about the hill-cutting work, pointing out the environmental impact and questioning whether adequate measures have been taken to prevent further erosion or instability in the area.
Local social workers, along with concerned citizens, have been vocal in expressing their displeasure. Many have raised doubts about the quality and pace of the work, as well as the long-term safety of the bypass road. With the onset of another monsoon season on the horizon, fears are mounting that a repeat of last year’s incident could endanger both commuters and nearby communities.
Authorities have yet to issue a detailed response addressing these concerns, but calls for a thorough review and safety audit of the ongoing construction are gaining momentum.
Manoj Naik, a local resident, expressed concern over the hill cutting being carried out improperly, noting the absence of a retaining wall which poses serious safety risks and inconvenience to pedestrians. He emphasized the urgent need for the issue to be resolved. Meanwhile, another local, Sachin Mayekar, raised a pressing question: “Who will be held accountable if something unfortunate happens? Against whom should an FIR be filed in the event of a mishap?”
