Team Herald
PONDA: A major landslide on national highway at Kerya, Khandepar caused a severe traffic blockade forcing the South Goa Collector to order diversion of vehicles along the two-kilometre stretch.
The Collector directed the installation of signboards such as “road closed”, “road diversion”, “no entry”, “work in progress” etc. and adopt safety measures. According to the order, vehicles proceeding from Ponda to Usgao Bicholim were diverted via Hotel Amigos along the Nirnakal-Bethora road, while incoming traffic from Usgao to Ponda was diverted via an alternative route from Khandepar. The order will continue till road is safe for motorists.
The locals claim the mud is soft in nature and hill developed cracks due to hill cutting activities and incessant rains. They blamed the PWD officials for the landslide. At present, efforts are on to clear the debris. The fire department personnel were at the site. On account of the road closure at Kerya, public especially students coming to Ponda from Usgao and those from Ponda travelling to Usgao will now have to travel 15 kms due to the road diversion. Motorists were left stranded due to road blockade following the landslide.
The locals had warned the government and authorities of a massive landslide following heavy downpour. This is the second landslide at Kerya. Earlier, on Thursday a massive landslide occurred at Kerya in Curti on National Highway where construction of a four-lane road is in progress. The earthmoving machinery was used clear the debris since morning, but again there was massive landslide at 3 pm. The Ponda Deputy Collector, police and traffic officials rushed to the site and following the dangerous situation the Deputy Collector Vishal Kundaikar discussed the issue with officials and locals.
Earlier, the Deputy Collector had ordered installation of barricades at the hill cutting site but due to the landslide, the barricades came crashing down. The road has turned slippery.
Meanwhile, locals Sandeep Parkar, Rocky Dias and Gokuldas Naik have blamed national highway authorities for the landslide.
“Hill is being cut vertically which is dangerous and pedestrians including school children use the road. Moreover, NH authorities have encroached upon the pathways leading to our houses and as a result we are forced to walk along main road to reach home,” Rocky Dias alleged.
Meanwhile there are several houses at Kerya, Khandepar and the locals fear another landslide in the area.
