PONDA: The newly-built concrete retaining wall along a service road in Kerya, Khandepar is on the verge of collapse due to a major landslide which was caused due to heavy rain.
This incident brings back memories of a similar landslide six years ago that blocked the Ponda-Belagavi Highway for 15 days, causing tremendous hardship to the public as the NH traffic was diverted via various internal roads in Ponda and Dharbandora talukas.
While the current landslide won't directly affect traffic, locals have expressed concern over the drainage system and the future of a nearby RE panel road.
The locals said that they are compelled to spend sleepless nights due to improper drainage systems and fear that improper drainage could lead to the collapse of the 100 metre RE panel road, which is elevated and supported by a huge land filling.
Rocky Dias, a resident said, “The road could collapse if water from the hill which has been cut, is not drained properly, as the water will seep into the RE panel four lane road. This will be a disaster for families residing by the side of elevated road and also for commuters using the highway.”
He said, “I am worried about drainage of water from the hill. Nobody knows where the water from the soft soil atop the hill is getting drained and where its springs are originating from. The locals have been demanding an underpass at the site and a memorandum in this regard was submitted to the authorities concerned. However, despite submitting the memorandum, the authorities went ahead and further cut the hill for a two-way service road alongside a four-lane highway.”