PONDA: After six long years of delays, obstacles and incomplete work, the new four-lane Khandepar Bridge has finally been completed and opened for traffic. The ramp and approach road work, which had been pending, is now finished, providing much-needed relief to the locals who have endured significant hardships due to the incomplete infrastructure.
The completion of the bridge is expected to resolve longstanding issues at the Opa-Khandepar junction, which has become notorious for accidents. Prior to the completion, the National Highway traffic was entering the Opa junction from the service road, making the area particularly dangerous. The new approach road to the Ponda side of the bridge was stalled due to land acquisition disputes, which have now been settled.
Residents had been grappling with frequent accidents and chaos at the Opa-Khandepar junction due to the incomplete approach road and ongoing NH works. With the bridge now fully operational, locals are hopeful that the junction will become an accident-free zone as highway traffic will no longer need to navigate through this congested area.
In addition to the completion of the bridge, locals are also calling for urgent repairs to the service road and internal roads at the junction, which have deteriorated significantly after the heavy rains, and are riddled with potholes. The condition of these roads poses a continued risk to drivers and pedestrians, adding to the villagers’ long-standing frustrations.
