PONDA: Furious over huge potholes plaguing the Bethora road, an irate social worker from Ponda filed a police complaint against both – the State PWD Division XVIII and the NH Division XV for criminal negligence.

The area from the Amigoes Hotel to Bethora road had developed huge pothole and recently a woman and another biker sustained serious injuries after they became victims of the potholes.

Following two separate accidents, Viraj Sapre, a social worker from Ponda informed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) about the incident who conveniently passed on the buck saying that the road maintenance responsibility lies with the PWD.

As Viraj contacted the PWD officials, they redirected him to meet the NHAI officials as it was not their jurisdiction.

With the officials shifting the blame on each other, Sapre filed a complaint at the Ponda Police Station demanding that the police investigate and take action against those responsible for the criminal negligence.

Meanwhile, when HERALD conducted an inquiry with regard to the confusion over the issue, it was revealed that Division XVIII of the Goa State PWD is in possession of the said bypass road stretch and the government had directed them to handover this road stretch to NHAI.

The NHAI officials said the tender has been floated through the Central Reserve Fund for a four-lane Bethora to Bythokhol Borim Road costing Rs 37 crore. However, the work order has not been issued.

Both officials when asked about the police complaint, stated they have no problem in repairing the pothole and a Jetpatcher machine would do the needful soon.