WEDNESDAY, JULY 03, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: The Par-Khursakade-Usgao stretch has become notorious for its dangerous conditions, prompting locals to urgently call for road widening. Recent weeks have seen several horrific accidents, including two fatal ones, making it a critical safety issue.
The road from Ponda to Khandepar was widened into four lanes six years ago. However, the stretch narrows abruptly at Par Usgao, creating a hazardous bottleneck. Local residents report three significant accidents in just ten days. In one incident, a car and jeep collided, resulting in seven injuries and the car driver needing to be rescued by Ponda Fire Personnel.
According to local resident Sandeep Parkar, the sudden narrowing of the road has made the Par Khursakade Usgao stretch particularly dangerous. He stated that speeding vehicles from the highway are forced into a narrow two-lane section, increasing the risk of head-on collisions.
Tragically, in one recent accident, a pedestrian was crushed to death by a truck. In another incident, a bike rider died trying to avoid a cow that had wandered onto the narrow road.
Parkar said he discussed the issue with National Highway authorities, who have assured him they will address the road widening.
Locals are advocating for immediate attention from the authorities to widen the road and implement additional safety measures. This will help ensure that the stretch no longer poses a significant threat to the lives of those who travel it daily.
