the goan I network
PERNEM
It took a minister’s threats to block the NH17 highway for the PWD to swing into action and repair the potholes along the highway between Dhargal and Patradevi.
Hitting out at his own government, Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar had threatened to block the NH17 highway along with his supporters if the government failed to repair potholes along the highway between Dhargal and Patradevi within 24 hours.
Incidentally, Ajgaonkar is an MGP MLA and he has taken on the PWD, a department headed by his own party leader and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.
Taking his threats seriously, the highway division of PWD swung into action and began the work of filling up potholes right from 8 am.
Locals had been bitterly complaining that the entire stretch of NH17 between Dhargal and Patradevi was full of potholes, which have led to several mishaps.
They complained that many memorandums had been submitted to the government, but authorities had remained silent to the issue.
When Azgaonkar was made aware of their plight, he threatened his own coalition government of blocking the road if authorities fail to repair potholes along the NH17 within 24 hours.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is coming close and there will be lot of traffic plying on the highway during the festive days. The PWD (road division) should keep this in mind and repair highway within 24 hours. If they fail to do so, I will block the highway along with my supporters and locals in protest,” Ajgaonkar had said.
Meanwhile, Vazari Sarpanch Sangeeta Gaonkar has supported the threats by the minister to block the highway. “The government should immediately repair the highway. Don’t let women come on the streets in protest during the festive days of Chaturthi,” she said.
