the goan I network
BELAGAVI
Goans usually flock to Belagavi city in large numbers during the Diwali season, but this time they are likely to give a second thought to the trip on account of the bad roads between Goa and Belagavi.
Incessant rains have not only taken toll of crops, property and life, but has also destroyed several roads including the state and national highways.
Due to heavy rains that caused havoc in last three months, a stretch of Belagavi-Panaji road via Chorla has left a huge stretch in a dilapidated condition.
While the Karnataka side of the road is in excellent condition, despite heavy rains in the Kankumbi-Jamboti section, except for one or two spots, a stretch of the road in Goa is full of potholes, causing severe hardship to motorists and commuters.
Due to heavy rains, a 6-km stretch between Swapna Gandha resorts and Keri in the Goa section between Chorla and Keri has developed potholes and bad patches.
To add to the woes of travellers, huge sections of the road have gone very bad due to landslides.
“As the NH4A is closed between Ramnagar and Anmod due to the construction work and other routes via Amboli and Tillari are also considered unsafe, we prefer to travel along the Chorla Ghat route, which is the only safe route available. However, lives of thousands of commuters from both the states are at risk as the Goa side of the road has become a nightmare for us,” complained a commuter.
The bad stretch of the Chorla road is deterring many Goans from visiting Belagavi during the Diwali festival to make purchases and for other purposes.
Besides, a large number of tourists from Karnataka are also expected to visit Goa during the Diwali vacations. The bad roads would not only dissuade people from travelling between Goa and Belagavi, it could severely affect trade and business between the two places.
