Team Herald
SANGUEM: Suffering on account of bad road traversing to the three wards in Netravali village, the residents of the hilly areas of Verlem, Salgini and Tudov are likely to get some relief as Sanguem Deputy Collector Ajay Gaude has assured to commence the road repair work by September-end.
Following assurance from the authorities, the locals had withdrawn their threat to boycott the ZP elections which were scheduled in March this year.
Gaude informed that with Collector Ajit Roy’s co-operation, the PWD has prepared the estimate to undertake the work of road reconstruction/repair.
He said, “The estimate was prepared soon after the assurance given to the villagers by the Collector and the same is pegged at Rs 30 lakh. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions that needed to be followed as precautionary measure put the project on hold. Otherwise, it would have been completed within the prescribed time as assured by the Collector.”
Gaude said, “Since the construction and repair of roads take time on account of cost factor, a letter has been issued to the PWD under the Disaster Management Act to undertake the repair work to the affected hilly areas on priority basis.”
“A couple of days ago, we had discussions with the Forest Department officials who have given a ‘go ahead’ signal with regards to the reconstruction of the road,” Gaude informed and added that even the two culverts along the 18-km stretch will be redone, for which the Forest Department has also given its green signal.
It is pertinent to note that for past several decades the villagers have been compelled to use the dilapidated road as the Forest Department was opposing moves to develop/reconstruct the same as it passes through Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
“A sharp turn along the road was cut some time ago as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents due to poor visibility,” informed Gaude.
