PONDA: The monsoon is just round the corner, but roads within the jurisdictions of the Kavlem and Bandora village panchayats are far from rain-ready. With some yet to be restored after being dug up two months ago for the laying of utility cables by government agencies, fresh digging at a few other spots have got the locals worried.
They say that the trenches, which are at least one metre deep and a foot wide, not only cause traffic congestion and dust pollution but are also a traffic hazard as vehicles, and people, could fall into them. Heaps of excavated mud dumped by the roadsides are equally perilous, the residents say, even as they call for proper planning and execution of such projects so that they cause minimal inconvenience to the people.
“It is not that we are opposing development, but the authorities should ensure that roads which were dug up two months ago are levelled and restored efficiently. This has not happened, and now, more roads are being dug, further endangering lives,”NavanathNaik, a local resident, said. “With the monsoon fast approaching, the trenches that remain unrestored – especially those in the middle of the road – will fill up with rainwater and may collapse entirely,” he added.
