Allege project planned without taking them into confidence
VASCO
Tension prevailed at Upasnagar on Sunday morning as several residents gathered to protest against the ongoing highway flyover works, demanding an underpass and alleging that the project was planned without taking locals into confidence. Protesters claimed that neither the area MLA Anton Vas nor the residents were properly consulted before finalising the design of the flyover.
Holding placards and raising slogans, residents expressed shock over what they described as a lack of proper planning. They said repeated representations had been submitted to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and to MLA Anton Vas, but their concerns remained unresolved.
Social worker Achut Naik, a resident of the area, said the absence of an underpass would force people to travel over one kilometre and take a long detour to reach the opposite side of the road. “Senior citizens, school children and daily commuters will be the worst affected. The present design is not only inconvenient but also risky. It could turn this stretch into an accident-prone zone,” he said.
Residents pointed out that several schools and temples are located in the vicinity and warned that movement would become extremely difficult if the flyover works continued without incorporating an underpass. Calling it a “need of the hour” for thousands living in the area, they threatened to halt construction if their demand was ignored.
MLA Anton Vas later met the agitating residents and assured them that their grievances would be addressed. “After receiving the representation from the residents, I immediately wrote to the concerned authorities and sought their intervention. I understand the genuine difficulties faced by the people of Upasnagar. On Wednesday, I will conduct a joint inspection with PWD Minister Digambar Kamat to assess the ground situation, and I will strongly press for an underpass if it is found necessary for public safety and convenience,” Vas said.
He further assured that he would pursue the matter with the authorities until a practical solution acceptable to the residents is finalised.
