Team Herald
PONDA: Encroachments made by approximately 14 shop owners along the internal nullah at the Ponda Old bus stand have been cleared after directives from the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC).
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The removal was prompted by difficulties faced by the Water Resources Department (WRD) in constructing a retaining wall for the nullah due to the encroachments.
With the obstruction now removed, the WRD has been able to widen the nullah, restoring its original 2.5-metre width.
The clearance has also facilitated the construction of a retaining wall alongside the nullah, enhancing the area’s infrastructure and safety.
It was observed that several shop owners had extended their shops into the nullah basin flowing behind their establishmen ts. This unauthorised expansion significantly narrowed the nullah, reducing its width by one to one-and-a-half metres in some areas.
The restricted flow had been a major contributor to monsoon flooding at the old bus stand, a crucial location in Ponda City.
A meeting with the affected shop owners, chaired by Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, was held to address the issue. The discussion was attended by PMC Chairperson Anand Naik and the Chief Officer.
During the meeting, the shop owners assured their cooperation with the PMC and WRD in completing the retaining wall. They recognised that the wall would not only enhance the safety of their shops but also mitigate the risk of flooding during the monsoon season.
The restoration work marks a significant step in addressing long-standing issues of flooding and infrastructural strain at the Ponda Old Bus Stand, ensuring smoother operations in the area.
