To the dust they step out into and from dust they return. The daily commute of residents from Gandhinagar to Varnapuri and beyond, is all about being covered in grime.
They leave their home for their workplace or school very fresh but reach their destination full of mud and dirty clothes. Similarly for housewives, keeping their doors or window open means inviting muddy trouble as household equipments involving plates, utensils, clothes and other things get covered with dust particles within no time.
This is because the four-lane highway stretch from Varunapuri Mangor-Hill junction to Gandhinagar is lying in incomplete stage for over 10 years after the border road organisation has taken up the construction work of the four-lane highway from IDC Verna to Mormugao Harbour in the year 1999.
The work of the four lane highway project has been completed up to Varunapuri Mangor-Hill junction from IDC Verna which is nearly about 13 kms, while the work on the balance portion which is about 5 kms started two years ago but still this one and half km road having no hurdles or encroachments has not been given priority considering the need and the grievances of the people who regularly complain of dust pollution due to muddy surface of the road. It is important to note that the promise of three-metre wide service road that was promised to them some two years ago too remained unfulfilled
People want to know as to why the concerned contractor appointed by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the completion of four-lane road from Varunapuri to MPT has been dragging his feet and has been taking up work at snail’s pace. The same contractor has taken up work at Baina at jet speed.
For the past 10 years, residents have been commuting to and from their homes facing severe hardships. They complain that nearly one and half km stretch of the four lane highway from Varunapuri Mangor-Hill junction to Gandhinagar which is part of NH17 B project has been posing danger to the lives as two wheeler riders many times skid over the stones on this muddy road and sustain injuries. Their main concern is the dust pollution on this stretch of road as mud from the road blows up in air after every vehicle passes and all their pleas requesting the authorities concerned to at least complete one lane of four lanes did not received any attention.
“Those in charge of the project are playing with the lives of over 3,000 people including children. Besides, there are hundreds of families who reside in the naval quarters along the remaining portion of the four lane highway. Similarly there are schools and important temples located along this road, however, instead of giving priority to complete this road which is lifeline for Gandhinagar residents, the concerned authority has been completing the work at Baina stretch at jet speed”, said Vasco based social activist Preetam Keluskar.
Recently the Lord Shiva devotees, who took part in the grand Maha Shivratri festival at Kanteshwar Temple in Gandhinagar, also raised serious concerns over the muddy Varunapuri-Gandhinagar road. They were surprised to note that the NHAI appointed contractor has excavated the area in front of temple posing a huge risk to commuters to this six decade old temple.
Likewise all along the road from Varunapuri to Gandhinagar, the road has been left uneven and incomplete, leaving the people with several questions in their mind. The want to know why, for NHAI officials, completing four lane elevated corridors at Baina is a greater priority than ending the dust filled existence of the families at Gandhinagar.
