A KSRTC bus negotiating a long dusty stretch of the NH4A between Londa and Khanapur. Louis Rodrigues
BELAGAVI
Motorists and commuters from Belagavi and Goa have been facing severe hardships due to problems on both routes via Anmod and Chorla.
While work on the road via Anmod has come to a total halt, the contractor has gone slow on the roadwork at Chorla due to heavy traffic congestion issues caused due to movement of heavy and multi-axle vehicles.
It may be recalled that the four-laning of the NH4A via Anmod had hit a major road block since January last year due to a stay obtained by environmentalists.
Claiming that the 82-km stretch via Anmod passes through the Kali Tiger Reserve and the protected forest area, environmentalists Suresh Heblikar and Joseph Hoover had obtained the court stay, restraining authorities from continuing the work.
Measures and attempts by authorities to vacate the stay were in vain and the contractor was forced to move workers and machinery away from the site.
As a result, the road is in ruins leaving motorists and commuters facing severe inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the repair of the road in the Chorla ghat section, which had begun amid much fanfare in presence of Goa's PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on January 27 has also slowed down.
This is because, the contractor is facing huge inconvenience due to movement of heavy vehicles resulting in frequent traffic jams.
With both roads affected, it has become a nightmare for motorists and commuters from Karnataka and Goa.
Except for emergencies, motorists are being advised to avoid travel on both these routes due to traffic jams, potholes, dumps of mud and slippery stretches.
Numerous protests by people of Khanapur, Londa and Ramnagar demanding the immediate restoration of the work have also fallen on the deaf ears of authorities.
