Ponda: Irked over non-functioning street lights on Curti-Khandepar stretch of National Highway comprising of Khandepar bridge, villagers staged a protest against government authorities by lighting candles on the dividers of the road recently.
As per information, service roads of the newly-constructed Khandepar bridge and a closed section of the bridge plunges into darkness for more than a year and commuters especially two-wheeler riders suffer particularly with stray cattle frequenting the road. Even part of Khandepar bridge area is under darkness taking advantage of which liquor parties are held on the bridge where even other immoral activities are committed, locals alleged.
After the parties, leftover garbage is dumped on the roadside. Similar situation prevails on Curti flyover starting from Shahpur-Ponda where most streetlights are non-functional and road stretch are being used for parties and nuisance is created, locals said.
Residents of Curti-Khandepar informed that they lodged complaints about non-functional streetlights and illegal activities taking place on the road stretch by making a letter to PWD’s NH section. But authorities have failed to act.
According to Rocky Dias, in absence of proper streetlights at some places, the national highway has become a hotspot for parties and immoral activities. He said that the movement of stray cattle on the road also poses danger to motorists.
