PONDA: A car was severely damaged while negotiating a service road at Kapileshwari, which had been dug up for constructing sewerage chambers. The service road is located alongside the Dhavalim-Farmagudi bypass highway. Local residents have criticised the ongoing work, which is being carried out during the monsoon season, with the authorities failing to adhere to the restoration deadline of May 31.
Locals reported that the service road had been closed to traffic for the past month due to the construction of a sewerage well. While the work on the well was completed a few days ago, the Sewerage Corporation reopened the road without properly restoring it. The road was covered only with rubble and mud, making it slushy and dangerous for commuters.
On Friday night, a car got stuck in a crater that had developed at the site due to the incomplete road restoration. Locals assisted the driver in removing the car from the rubble and mud. However, the car’s engine was badly damaged as a result. Residents blamed the sewerage department for the losses incurred by the car owner.
In a related incident, another stretch of the same service road towards Dhavalim caved in on Saturday evening, leading to rubble being placed at the site as a temporary measure. Following criticism from locals, the sewerage contractor attempted to level the road using a bulldozer.
Residents are expressing frustration over the poor handling of the road restoration work, particularly given the monsoon season’s added complications. They emphasised the need for proper road repairs and timely completion of infrastructure projects to ensure the safety and convenience of commuters.
