Team Herald
PONDA: Khandepar and Ponda locals heave a sigh of relief after long-closed Curti-Mestwada culvert on Ponda-Khandepar Highway on account of reconstruction of Portuguese era culvert was finally opened for traffic within three and half months.
Reportedly, Portuguese era old culvert was narrow and in dilapidated condition and so foundation for new culvert was laid but after closure of main road Curti, Khandepar to Ponda town on account of reconstruction of the culvert, which meanwhile led to chaos and confusion as traffic was diverted to narrow internal roads at Curti. It was a double whammy for te commuters as internal roads were also dug for sewerage network. Locals were frequently demanding proper traffic planning in road diversion on Curti Khandepar-Ponda town road to avoid chaos and accidents.
The culvert was constructed by PWD at Rs 1.21crore and foundation was laid at hands of former MLA Ravi Naik.
Following closure, the traffic diversion through internal roads was meant to continue till March 2022. The locals Viraj Sapre and others were worried as heavy traffic like buses were diverted through internal road. However, there was no untoward incident. Contractor built the culvert within three and half month and opened for traffic which gave lot of relief to Ponda and Khandepar locals.
