CANACONA
Locals have demanded the widening of the 600-metre stretch of the road which connects the Canacona-Agonda-Khola MDR49 road to the NH66 highway at the foot of the Karmalghat between Gulem and Keri-Agonda.
According to locals, the road which passes through forest land was initially constructed for forest purposes but has now become one of the busiest roads and an important link between the NH66 and the MDR49. A large number of tourists use this road to travel to and from the highway.
The road is very narrow, and vehicles struggle to negotiate each other. To make matters worse, the forest trees are leaning on the road in a precarious manner, posing a risk to motorists.
At times, a fallen tree has disrupted traffic for a long time till the fire and emergency personnel reach the site and clear the fallen tree.
“The 600-metre stretch of road has two slopes, and both slopes are not only narrow but also have drainage on both sides of the road, making it even more dangerous for traffic,” informed former Agonda sarpanch Pramod Faldessai.
“There are a few forest trees dangerously leaning on the road and can fall at any moment. People are worried that the trees could fall on passing vehicles,” added Faldessai.
He has demanded immediate attention of authorities to address public concerns.
Another former Agonda sarpanch Abel Borges also echoed similar concerns.
“This link road is important not only for residents of Agonda and Dumane but also for tourists. At times, highway traffic is also diverted via this road in case of any blockade of the Gule stretch of the NH66 highway. This road is now a lifeline for motorists and needs to be widened urgently,” said Borges.
