The makeshift wooden bridge at Bhankal Kazur which the villagers use during the monsoon.
Reacting to reports that villagers from Kazur-Bhankal continue to use a temporary wooden bridge during the monsoon, Kavrem-Pirla Sarpanch Vidhi Velip alleged that attempts were being made to malign the image of the Panchayat and Sanguem MLA and Minister Subhash Phaldesai.
The Kazur-Bhankal locality earlier comprised around seven to eight houses. However, the number has now reduced to about three occupied households, with several families having shifted to nearby villages in search of better opportunities and infrastructure.
Addressing reporters, Velip clarified that the proposed bridge project at Kazur-Bhankal has remained stalled mainly due to the non-submission of a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landowners concerned.
She informed that the Public Works Department (PWD) had sought a Panchayat resolution along with the landowners’ consent before processing the proposal.
Despite repeated efforts by the Panchayat, the required NOC has not yet been submitted, preventing further progress on the project.
Velip stated that after reports and videos highlighting the villagers’ hardships surfaced last year, PWD officials, including the Junior Engineer (JE) and Assistant Engineer (AE), conducted a site inspection.
Subsequently, the Panchayat prepared the required resolution and initiated the process of collecting signatures and documents from residents. However, the proposal could not move ahead due to the absence of consent from the landowners concerned.
“I feel there are internal issues among the parties concerned because despite repeated explanations and requests, they have not come together to provide the NOC. It is unfair to accuse the Panchayat and the MLA when the mandatory documents themselves are pending,” she said.
The Sarpanch maintained that both the Panchayat and MLA Subhash Phaldesai have consistently supported developmental works in the area and responded positively whenever matters were officially brought before them. She alleged that certain individuals were unnecessarily attempting to target the MLA despite several development initiatives being undertaken in the constituency.
Bankhal locals highlight difficulties without bridge
SANGUEM:
Residents of Bankhal village highlighted the hardships faced during the monsoon due to the absence of a permanent bridge.
Villagers said they are compelled every year to construct a temporary wooden bridge to maintain connectivity during the rainy season.
They stressed that the bridge is vital not only for daily movement but also for agricultural activities and ensuring better educational opportunities for children in the locality.
Eighty-five-year-old resident Barkelo Jorgo Gaonkar said only a few families continue to reside in the area as many people have migrated elsewhere because of poor road connectivity.
He recalled that the bridge issue was raised before Minister Subhash Phaldesai during his visit to the locality for electrification works. However, the proposal remained pending due to lack of coordination and the absence of the required NOC from landowners.
The villagers, however, expressed willingness to provide the NOC from their side and voiced hope that consent from the adjoining landowner could also be secured if proper efforts are made to approach him for the bridge project.
