Team Herald
PONDA: Traffic chaos and confusion have been the order of the day at Usgao Chowgule workshop junction due to the electricity pole, which stands in the middle of road, is not removed or relocated after construction of underpass during the widening of national highway from Usgao to Khandepar.
A local, Gaurish Salgaonkar said, “The vehicles coming from Usgao face difficulty to pass through the underpass as one electricity pole is located in the middle of road, opposite the underpass and heavy container trucks find it difficult to pass through it as bikes are also parked in the underpass.”
He said, “Even the Chief Minister had witnessed one accident and helped the injured. I had complained to the various authorities in September 2020 including the Traffic Police, Deputy Collector and local panchayat but so far no improvement.”
Another local, Sandeep Parkar said, “The Khandepar junction has also become dangerous. A week ago, the two service roads located by the side of new Khandepar Bridge were suddenly opened for Belgaum traffic to proceed towards Ponda, which according to Khandepar locals had created chaos and confusion among the vehicle drivers.”
Parkar said, “Lakhs of rupees have been spent on the inauguration of incomplete bridge.”
John Almeida, a local from Par-Usgao said, “Some vehicles such as container trucks are parked on the narrow service road inviting accident.”
He said, “The labourers are seen not bothered about the traffic chaos. One car driver hit the parked container truck from behind and got injured.”
