PONDA: Finally, after lot of demand by locals to adopt safety measures at Opa Junction the government had diverted the heavy traffic at Opa junction through service road of new Khandepar bridge.
However, parents, locals pointed at lack of signboards to guide traffic on NH and demanded proper signboards at OPA Junction.
It may be recalled that the new Khandepar bridge was inaugurated in 2018 without approach road and heavy traffic towards Belgagavi, proceeding from busy Opa junction causing risk to locals, especially school students. There were several accidents at Opa junction due to which locals were demanding safety measures and also to complete approach road/ramp to bridge. However as there is no sign of ramp construction to bridge the locals finally suggested diversion of traffic through service roads of new bridge.
Following a recent meeting with officials and local MLA and Minister Ravi Naik, the proposal by locals was accepted and traffic is diverted through service roads, following students, parents heave a sigh of relief, however traffic diversion without proper display of sign boards has made them worried.
A local Ponda resident, Rocky Dias said signboards and speed breakers are needed at Opa junction underpass as internal traffic passes from underpass and it could be dangerous for local vehicles, in case the highway traffic passing from service roads often causes accidents at the junction. He therefore demanded signboards for safety of locals.
