PONDA: The widening of the road from Bythakol to Curti has created a potentially hazardous situation with trucks parked on the roadside and live electricity power lines hanging dangerously close to the ground in Bythakol, Borim. Residents are expressing concerns, labelling the current condition as an ‘accident waiting to happen’.
The ongoing road widening work has expanded the free space on either side of the road, making overhead power lines reachable for even individuals of average height. In November last year, a crane operator was electrocuted and died on duty, after his vehicle touched an overhead live-wire in Ponda. In December, a truck parked on the roadside in Bythakol caught fire after coming into contact with one of the electricity lines. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties as the truck driver was not in the vehicle.
The increased space resulting from the road widening project has led to more trucks being parked in the area. Following the action taken by Bethora panchayat to address roadside parking issues, truck drivers have reportedly shifted their attention to the Bythakol-Borim stretch, as the parking ban has remained ineffective in practice.
Around two months ago, a local man’s body was discovered buried in a pit near the road, prompting authorities to implement the collector’s order on parking restrictions. The Bythakol-Borim-Curti road is a busy stretch, and safety concerns have been raised, especially after a leopard lost its life in a road accident in the area a few years ago.
Locals are urging the Borim panchayat and other authorities to closely monitor the road, address the issue of parked trucks, and ensure the safety of road-users. Additionally, there are demands for the Electricity Department to re-install the power lines at a higher height to mitigate potential risks.
