PONDA: The government’s failure to construct an approach road to the new Khandepar bridge is putting hundreds of students at risk.
Despite the bridge being inaugurated a couple of years ago, it has not been linked to the highway forcing vehicles to take the old route. Lack of connecting roads at this junction confuses motorists leading to accidents.
The work of connecting the road at Khandepar junction has been incomplete for a long time and vehicles moving towards Belgaum are unable to use the bridge and are forced to take the old route via Khandepar junction.
Several students studying at a nearby school wait for their buses at this junction and heavy traffic on this route is a cause of concern for the students and parents.
Several accidents have occurred on this stretch injuring the students. Last month, two trucks carrying containers collided and parents have expressed concern and demanded immediate construction of a connecting road.
The google map app is often seen showing wrong directions to vehicles passing through this stretch. Vehicles were initially diverted during the inauguration of the bridge from the wrong side. The same pattern is sometimes followed by the app and vehicles are diverted in the wrong manner. Especially tourists and vehicles from other states are directed via wrong routes. Locals have also demanded that the government should step in to correct the routes.
Suraj Garad, a parent, informed that several accidents on this route is a cause of concern for parents. The government has failed to fulfil the promise of constructing a connecting road. The government must give priority to students’ security.
Diversion of traffic via new bridges by construction connecting roads is the only solution to overcome the issue, said Garad.
Ponda Traffic PI Krishna Sinari informed that traffic from Ponda to Tisk Usgao is halted between 7 am and 8.30 am and from 12.30 pm to 2 pm considering the safety of the children. Special police force is deployed on this stretch to manage the traffic.
