PERNEM: The unauthorised digging of roads for laying underground power cables in Malpe came to a halt after locals, along with media reporters, questioned the contractor about the necessary permissions. The digging was taking place right in front of the office of MLA Praveen Arlekar. When the contractor failed to produce the required permissions, locals intervened, and the work was immediately stopped.
PMC Chairperson Siddhesh Pednekar confirmed that the civic body had not granted permission for the road excavation. The contractor was instructed to fill the dug-up area, and the unauthorised work was brought to an immediate stop.
PWD engineer Gawas explained that while the government had granted permission for the work, the contractor was expected to complete it before the monsoon. He clarified that the permission did not allow for digging up the entire road but rather involved using advanced technology to create a small trench.
The incident has raised concerns among locals, emphasising the need for transparency and community involvement in such projects. Social worker Bhaskar Narulkar stressed the importance of taking locals into confidence and ensuring that the respective departments are responsible for levelling the road surface after any excavation work.
