PONDA:The Bethora-Borim Bypass road has undergone widening to accommodate four lanes; however, local residents have expressed a pressing need for an underpass or flyover to facilitate safe crossing at the main junction, given the persistent traffic flow on the bypass.
Concerns have been raised that the current disorganized traffic conditions may result in accidents, prompting calls for the construction of a flyover.
Residents of Bethora have specifically requested the establishment of a flyover at the accident-prone Bethora Main Junction along the expanded Curti-Bethora-Borim bypass road. Locals have noted that the four-lane expansion was completed without the inclusion of underpasses or flyovers, which remain unaddressed.
According to community members, the widened road has experienced a surge in traffic, particularly from heavy vehicles travelling towards Margao and Belgavi.
They have also pointed out that workers from the nearby industrial estate contribute to traffic congestion at the Bethora junction during peak hours. This road serves as a vital link to the Bethora-Nirankala-Codar Panchayat and Dabal-Kirlapal Panchayat.
Local resident Hemant Samant has underscored the critical necessity for a flyover at the Bethora main junction, stating that it should be the top priority. (REPORT BY SANJAY NAIK)
He has consistently raised this issue at Gramsabha meetings over the past two years and even submitted a letter to the Public Works Department (PWD) for a flyover two years ago. He advocates for the Panchayat to prioritize the flyover project, suggesting that, in the interim, a traffic signal system could be implemented. Given the substantial traffic flow from all directions, he argues that a flyover is essential.
The presence of the industrial estate in Bethora exacerbates the chaos during working hours, as many individuals attempt to cross the road, increasing the risk of accidents. He urges the government to take immediate action to construct a flyover at the junction.