PONDA: Residents of Bond-Bag, Bethora, particularly parents of primary school students, are expressing their concerns regarding the recent installation of dividers that have closed the median gap on the highway.
This sudden change has made it increasingly difficult for children to cross the road safely, as they are now at risk of being struck by fast-moving vehicles. Parents are urging local authorities to reopen the median gaps to prevent potential accidents.
Additionally, the closure has forced residents to take a longer route, adding an extra three kilometers to their journey as they navigate a roundabout at Borim to return home. Some motorcyclists are endangering themselves by riding on the wrong side of the road to avoid this additional distance. The parents have highlighted that, following the installation of the dividers, primary school students are compelled to climb over the gaps and wait for traffic to clear before crossing.
They also pointed out the presence of a temple, a school, and several residences in the vicinity, emphasizing the need for safe crossing points for the sake of the students. Furthermore, they noted that the main Bethora Junction near the industrial estate lacks both a flyover and an underpass, which the community has been advocating for.
It is important to note that the two-lane bypass along the four-kilometer stretch of the Bethora-Borim bypass on the Belgaum-Margao Highway has been expanded to four lanes without the addition of service roads, underpasses, or flyovers, resulting in significant challenges for local residents.
While officials from the National Highways department have indicated that the bypass is still classified as a state highway, they are in discussions with the Union Government to have it designated as a National Highway, which would facilitate the construction of necessary infrastructure. However, attempts to reach the relevant officials for further comment on this matter have been unsuccessful.