PERNEM: While the work on the NH66 from Dhargalim to Patradevi in the Pernem is underway and almost 90 per cent of the road is almost complete, the service roads connecting the villages are in a pathetic state with danger lurking everywhere.

“The four-lane highway has occupied most of the land and there is hardly any place left to construct service roads parallel to the highway and the government is yet to acquire land for service roads which are crucial in connecting the villages,” said Umesh Talwanekar.

Another villager charged that the PWD had no knowledge of the service roads which are provisioned for the NH66. “The authorities have also not given enough thought while erecting the flyovers and there are no sign boards to warn the motorists regarding ongoing work which poses a threat especially at nights,” stated Talwanekar. There are five minor roads at Malpe junction where the work on the service road is currently underway.

The locals feared over disruption of the network of Pernem with the rest of the villages during monsoon as this area is at a lower height.