PONDA: Residents of Kavalem and Talavalim are infuriated by severe dust pollution on the main road, particularly at the Don-Khamb Kavalem junction. The dust problem is affecting not only pedestrians but also school students, who are facing significant health risks due to substandard repair work by the contractor.
In June, the contractor had newly tarred the road from Kavalem to Talavalim, but heavy monsoon rains in July washed away the work. In response to local complaints about the road’s poor condition, the government directed the contractor to repair the road. However, during these repairs a week ago, the contractor spread white gravel powder on the road, which exacerbated the dust pollution and worsened the road conditions.
The dust cloud is not only troubling commuters and students but also affecting nearby roadside shops and restaurants, which are now covered in dust. Since the rain has subsided, the problem has intensified, as the dust is carried by the wind, further inconveniencing road users and residents. The dust pollution diminishes only during rainfall, but dry conditions exacerbate the issue.
Locals are now calling on the Kavalem and Talavalim panchayats to instruct the contractor to regularly spread water on the road to mitigate dust pollution. They are also demanding that the government direct the contractor to properly tar the road after the monsoon season.
