PONDA: In a startling incident early Saturday morning, a huge boulder fell on the house of Shivdas Mhadu Gaude in Mhalshe-Curti, Ponda. Fortunately, all family members, including children, escaped unhurt as the boulder fell into the kitchen, which was unoccupied at the time. The incident occurred around 4 am.
The area in Curti is currently undergoing various development works, including four-lane road widening, laying of underground power cables, and installation of an underground natural gas line. Shivdas Mhadu Gaude, the house owner, reported that the roadside of the National Highway (NH) was recently dug up for laying natural gas lines. During this process, boulders were placed by the roadside, which rolled down onto their house during heavy rains. “Luckily, we were all asleep in the bedroom, and nobody was in the kitchen. There is now a gaping hole in my house,” he said. Shivdas pointed out that the pathway leading to his house is now blocked by the mud from the road-digging that had been piled up along the NH. He added that the mud has also washed into a nearby nullah. “The nullah’s basin, originally five metres wide, has been reduced to 1.5 metres due to the debris,” rued Shivdas, urging the highway authorities to construct a retaining wall and proper drainage system to ensure the safety of his family. Additionally, he pointed out that the road digging has made it impossible to take vehicles to their home.
Local social worker Sandeep Parkar has filed a complaint with the PWD PCE and Ponda Sub Divisional Magistrate, alleging substandard work by the NH contractor on the stretch from Amigos Bethora Junction to Borim. Parkar highlighted that this section of the road has become a death trap, especially for two-wheeler riders, citing five deaths caused due to negligence. He urged authorities to take cognisance of the substandard work done by the contractor.
Repeat crash raises alarm over safety neglect
Last month, a vehicle had toppled onto another house on the same stretch.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in the same locality on May 29, when a pick-up vehicle lost control and fell onto the roadside house belonging to Vinu Gaude, damaging its roof and walls. Thankfully, Vinu Gaude’s family members were in another room and escaped unhurt. The house owner had mentioned that the NH contractor had assured that he would construct a retaining wall, but this has not yet been fulfilled.
