VALPOI
Every monsoon, the road connecting Sonal village to Valpoi town in Sattari taluka gets submerged, leaving the village completely cut off and causing major hardships for residents. For nearly a decade, villagers have repeatedly demanded a permanent solution by raising the level of the flood-prone stretch of road. Despite these appeals, no concrete action has been taken, and residents fear the same crisis will return this monsoon.
Last year, after the road went underwater, the Public Works Department (PWD) had assured villagers that remedial measures would be completed before the next rainy season. However, no work has been carried out so far. As a result, Sonal is once again likely to lose connectivity with Valpoi during heavy rains.
Sonal lies around 10 kilometers from Valpoi, and the Mhadei river flows alongside the access road. During intense rainfall in the Ghats, the river swells and floods the low-lying stretch of road, creating dangerous conditions. Around 50 meters of the road gets submerged under nearly one meter of water, making it impossible for vehicles or pedestrians to pass.
The recurring problem severely affects daily life in the village. Students face academic disruptions, government employees are unable to reach work, and milk supply from the village comes to a halt. Farmers, who transport milk to Sawarde, are particularly affected when the road is inaccessible.
Last year, Sonal remained cut off from Valpoi for two consecutive days, and similar incidents have occurred repeatedly over the years. Although local MLA and Minister Vishwajit Rane had directed the PWD to address the issue seriously, no visible progress has been made. Villagers now fear they will once again endure isolation and hardship this monsoon unless immediate action is taken.
