VALPOI
The Chorla Ghat may be the shortest motorable route connecting Goa and Belagavi, but with frequent landslides along the Chorla Ghat section during monsoons, fears are now being raised by motorists travelling along the road.
There have been six mudslides since July and concerns are being raised about further landslides if rain continues to lash the Chorla Ghat section.
The frequent mudslides have led many in the area to believe that authorities are not doing enough to take steps to prevent these danger
The Chorla Ghat may be the shortest motorable route connecting Goa and Belagavi, but with frequent landslides along the Chorla Ghat section during monsoons, fears are now being raised by motorists travelling along the road.
There have been six mudslides since July and concerns are being raised about further landslides if rain continues to lash the Chorla Ghat section.
The frequent mudslides have led many in the area to believe that authorities are not doing enough to take steps to prevent these danger
s along the roads.
"Since the last two years, the risk of landslides has increased and urgent attention is required to prevent such incidents as lives of motorists are at stake," Keri Sarpanch Laxman Gawas told The Goan.
"About 10-kms of the route from Keri village passes through the ghats and there are possibilities of landslides at many places during the rainy season. Hence, preventive measures are needed to prevent such incidents," he added.
Stating that authorities were not that serious in initiating preventive measures, Gawas added: "This route is popular among commercial vehicles and it contributes substantial revenue to the government treasury. But authorities are not serious about the condition of this route."
Speaking to The Goan, Keri Panch Laxman Gaonkar also raised concern over failure by authorities to take preventive measures along the route.
"Authorities are not even bothered to erect a warning signboard along the road, to alert motorists about landslides and the many sharp turns on this route," he said.
When contacted, Valpoi PWD Assistant Engineer Mahajan said a proposal to install warning signboards was already submitted to higher authorities for sanction.
"Boards will be installed at many places to make the motorists aware of dangers along the route," he added.
Commenting on complaints that authorities had failed to take preventive measures, he replied: "At many places where there could be landslides, protection walls are already constructed. The process to construct walls near areas of landslides will be initiated, if needed," he added.
"Since the last two years, the risk of landslides has increased and urgent attention is required to prevent such incidents as lives of motorists are at stake," Keri Sarpanch Laxman Gawas told The Goan.
"About 10-kms of the route from Keri village passes through the ghats and there are possibilities of landslides at many places during the rainy season. Hence, preventive measures are needed to prevent such incidents," he added.
Stating that authorities were not that serious in initiating preventive measures, Gawas added: "This route is popular among commercial vehicles and it contributes substantial revenue to the government treasury. But authorities are not serious about the condition of this route."
Speaking to The Goan, Keri Panch Laxman Gaonkar also raised concern over failure by authorities to take preventive measures along the route.
"Authorities are not even bothered to erect a warning signboard along the road, to alert motorists about landslides and the many sharp turns on this route," he said.
When contacted, Valpoi PWD Assistant Engineer Mahajan said a proposal to install warning signboards was already submitted to higher authorities for sanction.
"Boards will be installed at many places to make the motorists aware of dangers along the route," he added.
Commenting on complaints that authorities had failed to take preventive measures, he replied: "At many places where there could be landslides, protection walls are already constructed. The process to construct walls near areas of landslides will be initiated, if needed," he added.
