MARGAO
The Comba subway near the railway crossing has been closed for traffic to pave way for the PWD to undertake repairs inside the damaged underpass.
While the repairs to the underpass is a welcome development given its unmotorable condition, the closure of the subway has resulted in traffic snarls at the railway crossing throughout Thursday.
Motorists also complained that the Konkan railway staffer also carried out painting of the level crossing gate on Thursday evening. However, a railway lady staffer manning the Comba level crossing maintained that the painting work was carried out when the gate was closed for traffic before the arrival of the train.
With the Comba subway closed for traffic for the next four days, locals as well as motorists have demanded that the district Collector, South deploy traffic police at the manned railway crossing given the rush of traffic in view of the closure of the underpass.
They pointed out that Thursday witnessed traffic snarls at the railway crossing after the subway, which was being used by motorists to cross over to other side of the tracks was shut down.
Sources informed the PWD had planned the subway repair works for a long time now, but could not start the work after the subway was found inundated by sewage water.
Inspections conducted by the officials with the local MLA Digambar Kamat had failed to stop the seepage of water inside the subway.
Kamat told the media ago that the water flow into the subway was finally plugged recently after the PWD dismantled the sewerage tank located close to the subway. “The PWD is now taking up the subway repair work so that the work is completed before the ensuing monsoons and before the commencement of the new academic year”, Kamat added.
