Team Herald
PERNEM: The sealing of State borders with Maharashtra and strict vigil by police at Pernem check post due to COVID-19 pandemic, have failed to prevent the entry of people from Maharashtra into Goa as the “unmanned” internal roads have come in handy for them to cross over.
The main check posts at Patradevi, Kiranpani Aronda, Satarda Naibagh and Ibrampur have been sealed, but there are several internal roads which connect Maharashtra with Goa and the people of the neighbouring State are using these routes to cross the border.
Hasapur-Hankhane-Karmali is one of the main routes, which connects to Maharashtra. Since the main road at Karmali stands closed, people from Maharashtra are using the internal road in Karmali to enter Goa. Motorists especially using two-wheelers and four-wheelers are commuting along the 4-km internal road, which further connects to Sawantwadi, Banda from one side and Belgaum from other.
With no vigil by Goa and Maharashtra Police along this stretch, sources informed that the route is used in illegal transportation of liquor outside Goa.
Since people are not allowed to cross the borders via the main road, they are now using the internal roads for commuting.
Meanwhile, sources further informed that since Dodamarg is main market for people residing in Ibrampur, Hankhane and Hasapur, during emergency they have no option but to travel to Dodamarg. However, the Maharashtra Police do not allow any person from Goa to cross the border and enter Maharashtra even during emergency. But Maharashtra Police permit their people to cross the border and enter Goa.
