Team Herald
PONDA: PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on Thursday inspected the “accident prone” four lane road at Curti along with officials following complaints from the locals on the fatal accidents reported along the route.
The locals brought to the minister’s notice that the main junction below the flyover near Amigos Hotel has turned into an accident prone zone as several fatal accidents have been reported.
Rocky Dias, a local, said several accidents have taken place at the junction due to lack of safety measures and signboards, while the others demanded proper gutters, lighting along the new route to prevent fatal accidents.
The locals said the drivers often get confused on reaching the Amigos junction where almost eight roads intercept each other, which in turn lead to accidents.
The locals called upon the NH authorities to provide an underpass at the junction opposite the Sateri Temple. This is oldest route used by Ponda locals to proceed to Khandepar. However, the NH officials cited cost factor and did not provide underpass, which is now leading to chaos and confusion, the locals alleged and claimed that at least two people had died at the spot.
After giving a patient ear, the minister directed the officials to provide the locals with an underpass at Curti junction opposite the Sateri temple.
The NH engineers said they will make follow-up with higher authorities.
With regards to Bandora locals’ demand for underpass at KTC junction near Safa Masjid, the Minister said, “Since Safa Masjid is a heritage site we will discuss the issue with PWD officials during a meeting scheduled on Monday. After that we will decide on opening the four lane road towards Ponda end.”
