Ponda: : A day after Marcaim MLA Ramkrishna Dhavalikar informed that the Kavlem-Khadpaband road is legal as the PWD had acquired land for the same long ago; Kavlem sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar on Thursday warned the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) that the panchayat will not allow the civic body to close the road at any cost.
Addressing to media persons, Kavlekar urged the PMC not to create any law and order situation by going ahead with its decision to close the as the same is used by villagers for many decades and threatened to stage agitation.
Kavlekar said, “Kavlem Panchayat is not objecting PMC resolution to close it, but before closing the existing road, PMC should open PWD land acquired for Kavlem-Khadpaband road. Without opening the legal road, we won’t allow the closing of this existing road at any cost and in case of law and order, the panchayat will not be responsible.
He said Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar raised issue in Assembly and had documents for the land acquisition of said road.
He claimed that the PWD had acquired land for Kavlem-Khadpaband road in 1985 that passes from panchayat and municipal jurisdiction, however in PMC jurisdiction, a builder encroached and constructed building while some person has constructed bungalow on this PWD acquired land for road. After realising his mistake, the builder created separate road stretch for the encroached portion. However, now PMC wants to close it and passed resolution at the Council meeting.
He said following the news of PMC deciding to close the Kavlem-Khadpaband road, the locals of Kavlem, Bandora and Talavlim are furious as they have been using the road for two decades which reduces the distance of travelling to Ponda town. The school students are also using the same road to reach to Almeida High School.
Rajesh said he has been the sarpanch for last 20 years but not a single accident has been reported on this road.
