the goan I network
CANACONA
Pre-monsoon rains brought misery to motorists along the highway at Char Rasta-Canacona, prompting angry locals to stop ongoing four-lane works on Monday.
Freak mishaps were reported along the diverted portion of the Char-Rasta highway on Monday, following overnight pre-monsoon rains.
Locals complained that the diversion at Char Rasta was to be tarred months ago, but since the last few months, the road has been only a muddy track. “Canconkars support development work, but not at the cost of the local community. We had repeatedly told the PWD office along with all engineers to tar the diversion,” said Vikas Bhagat.
Added Gauresh Desai: “Last Thursday, we reminded them again and this time gave them an ultimatum to have the road complete, or we would shut the work being done on the highway. But still they ignored our words.”
Desai further informed the Bhaireli road in Char-Rasta has also become a nightmare to the residents and pleaded for immediate attention to it.
‘Today, after the pre-seasonal rains, the whole road turned mucky and many people fell off their vehicles at the site. Left with no option, we went along with the CMC councillors to the site and people shut down the whole highway construction work going on there,” said Desai.
The locals then notified the deputy collector, police inspector and the PWD department officials of their action and reasons for blocking the road.
A police team to the site and held talks with the agitated locals, while highway officials dispatched a water tanker to wash off mud from the road. The PWD (Highways) officials also began work to tar the diversion and informed public that it would be finished by Friday.
