Team Herald
PONDA: The residents of Ponda are grappling with crumbling roads, which have worsened after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and continue to cause hardship during the ongoing Navaratri festival. Many roads in Ponda Taluka were dug up for various development projects but remain in disrepair, leaving locals and commuters frustrated.
Some roads were recently hot mix carpeted, but heavy rains have washed away much of the repair work, adding to the distress of vehicle owners. Complaints of back pain due to riding on uneven and pothole-riddled roads are common among bikers and drivers, with many also reporting costly repair bills for their vehicles.
Vishant Naik, a local resident, expressed his hopes for better roads by Diwali, or at least for Christmas. "We have been facing these issues for too long. Hopefully, the government will take action soon," he said. Vallab Naik, another resident, shared his frustration, and the impact of the government’s apathy on his health – he lamented that his daily commute through the damaged roads has led to chronic back pain. He urged the government to restore the roads immediately.
The poor condition of the roads, particularly the arterial ones in Ponda Taluka, has been a major concern for residents. Deep potholes and craters, often filled with muddy rainwater, make it difficult for commuters to judge their depth, leading to a higher risk of accidents. Some of the worst-affected roads are in villages, where recent tar work has been undone by rains, sparking allegations of substandard work by contractors. The Public Works Department (PWD) has issued notices to these contractors, but no measures have been initiated to repair these roads.
Naresh Naik, another Ponda resident, highlighted the lack of proper drainage systems, which exacerbates the problem. "The rainwater flows and pools on the street, damaging the main roads. A proper gutter system needs to be in place when restoring these roads to prevent further damage," he explained.