BELAGAVI
In an unusual act of humanitarian service, villagers from Londa came together to repair a stretch of the Belagavi-Goa NH4A which got washed away due to floods in July.
The stretch of highway was totally cut off for commuters from Ramnagar and travellers from Goa, as it was washed away and the old bridge on Pandhari River was also partially damaged.
Though National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) authorities had taken up the repair work, it was halted as the estimate for repairs was not sanctioned, leaving the commuters in a quandary.
“We came together and decided to do ‘shramdan’ and we hired some labourers. We also voluntarily gave our dumpers and JCBs for the work and we have completed repaired the stretch, to ensure it is motorable at least for light vehicles,” said Milu D’Costa, a local contractor.
However, he expressed dismay as neither NHAI authorities nor the contractor came to support them in assisting with the repair work.
Nikhil Asukar, Babu Patel, Vivek Sampgaonkar, Baburao Desai and others worked to repair the damaged stretch of the highway.
