the goan I network
PONDA
Traffic was paralysed twice due to landslides on Monday as heavy rains loosened soil along the newly-widened highway between Ponda and Khandepar.
The cutting of the hill at Khandepar for road-widening work had been a cause for concern as locals had feared mudslides could take place during the monsoons. About 1 km stretch of the road is under construction as part of the highway expansion.
Their fears became reality on Monday when two landslides brought traffic to a halt in the morning and evening, as huge queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the roads.
Heavy machinery and many workers were pressed into service to clear the soil and mud from the road.
Responding to concerns from locals, Ponda Deputy Collector Vishal Kundaikar and Mamlatdar Abhir had visited the site a few days ago to take stock of the situation and instructed PWD officials to take steps to prevent further landslides in the area.
Fearing there could be further landslides on account of rains loosening soil around the road-widening area at Khandepar, the South Goa district magistrate Surendra Naik has issued an order diverting traffic along the route.
However, the diversion route is not clear and a fresh order is likely to be issued shortly.
While Naik did not respond to phone calls and text messages seeking clarity on the road diversion plan, sources informed that route from Ponda to Usgao will be diverted via Bethora bypass-Bethora-Codar and Khandepar junction, while traffic from Usgao will be diverted from Waghurme-Ponda and Pale Sakhali-Panaji.
