Dust pollution and frequent traffic congestion seem to be a regular feature affecting the residents of the temple town of Ponda and its surrounding areas. And they have been subjected to this problem on account roads are dug to carry out development works amounting to the tune of several hundred crores. Some residents are even forced to use masks due to the dust pollution.
The town residents blame the authorities such as PMC, PWD, Sewerage Corporation and the contractors involved in laying pipelines as there is no coordination among them due to which, the locals have been suffering.
The locals have asked the departments to work in coordination to ensure that they (locals) are not inconvenienced with regards to damage to water pipelines, phone cables and other problems.
Social activist Viraj Sapre said, “The sewerage lines are being laid for the sewerage treatment plant and at the same time the work of laying of gas pipelines too has started in the town for which the roads are dug. Further, the widening and four laning of National Highway Bypass stretch along the Dhavalim, Farmagudi and Curti Khandepar is also being taken up and considering the slow pace at which the work is progressing, the locals fear that they will have to wait suffer for another two to three years from dust pollution and traffic congestion on account of lack of planning. “
Currently, all internal roads in the town to have been dug but no care has been taken with regards to road safety, as no proper signboards warning about work in progress have been installed.
Umesh Naik, a daily commuter said, “During monsoons, these roads turn slippery and many accidents have been reported along these routes. In summer, the authorities sprinkling water to control the dust pollution. Before taking up the road widening work, it is mandatory to provide proper service roads. Service roads have developed potholes and as a result there is dust pollution. Further there are no signboards installed along Curti – Khandepar road warning the motorists to go slow on account of the ongoing work to construct junctions, flyover and underpass road.
When contacted Ponda Deputy Collector and PMC Chief Officer Navnath Naik said people will have to face some inconvenience for the sake of development work which cannot be stopped. “I will make maximum efforts to lessen their hardship.”
