PONDA: The Kerya-Khandepar locals has expressed concern over lack of planning in the work going on towards widening of National Highway (NH), saying it will cause hardships for them.
The locals said there is no underpass for locals residing in area in both sides of highway at Kerya. Moreover, landfilling is being done for two-way service road widening.
Residents feared that the land filling activities could adversely impact the natural springs, potentially leading to water scarcity for agricultural fields situated nearby.
Local resident, Rocky Dias said that while conducting widening work along side the four-lane NH, not a single underpass had been provided for the commuters to cross the road for a distance of 2 km at Kerya Khandepar. He said that even wild life animals cross the highway. But there is no such provision of underpass or subway for locals as well as wild animals. He said there are bison and other animals in area.
He also said that work of land filling is progressing without construction of retaining wall. He feared that accumulation of substantial debris could spread to adjoining agriculture fields, causing lot of damage to the fields.
Further, land filling without protecting the springs it would create water crisis to the agriculture field located alongside. He also said that debris has been dumped in the nullah basin located opposite the Kerya Garbage Plant, and there is no retaining wall that would protect the nullah.
