An irate Bethora gram sabha on Sunday witnessed strong protests as villagers issued a one-week ultimatum to repair the dangerously potholed 1.5 km stretch of the main road from the village junction to the Industrial Estate gate. They threatened to launch an agitation and plant 200 cashew trees as a symbolic protest against government apathy.
Locals said the road, in a deplorable condition for over a year, poses a daily risk to commuters, especially school children and pregnant women. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to take meaningful action, offering only hollow assurances. Past patchwork using jetpatcher machines was quickly washed away by rain.
Villagers also raised concerns over a steep hike in house tax, calling it unaffordable for economically weaker families. They demanded that the Panchayat immediately reduce the rates. Another issue flagged was the non-operational garbage treatment plant, which villagers said is fully constructed but yet to begin functioning.
Sarpanch Madu Khandeparkar, acknowledged the problems and assured that rubble soling would be done during dry spells and jet patcher repairs would follow.