Demand repairs in view of mishaps in Canacona
Canacona: Agitated by lackadaisical approach of the PWD (highways) to rectify road safety issues that are leading to regular accidents, including the recent fatal mishap where a couple lost their lives at Gulem, a group of activists on Wednesday locked up the cabin of assistant engineer (PWD) accusing him of failing to repair the roads in spite of repeated requests.
At Gulem itself, around 12 accidents have taken place in the past few months.
Janardhan Bhandari and Vikas Bhagat, who were present at the PWD office, said that “mindless of the consequences of our action, we decided to lock up the office to draw attention of the authority to helpless situation of the innocent commuters who lose their lives due to casual approach of the PWD towards the numerous accidents which can be prevented.”
Ramu alias Dhillon Naik, panch member of Shristhal panchayat had repeatedly demanded asphalting of the road in his Bhatpal ward. The panch had warned the PWD that if the internal roads in his ward were not taken up for repairs by the PWD by April 24, he would go on a hunger strike by April 26. However, with no signs of any commencement of work as promised by the official, Ramu Naik sat on a day’s hunger strike to meet his demand.
Janardhan Bhandari said that “after we came to know that Ramu alias Dhillon Naik was sitting on a hunger strike and since no government official even bothered to meet and assure him on road repairs, activists of Canacona decided to extend support to him and approach the PWD engineers.”
As the assistant engineer could not give a written assurance, the protestors locked up the official Dilip Kerkar inside his cabin.
Kerkar told the protestors that he has sent a letter to the seniors regarding the Bhatpal road and that the work will be undertaken after receiving the final work order.
The lock was opened only after the arrival of the police after the activists demanded an assurance from the assistant engineer.
Later Kerkar, junior engineer Sawant had a discussion with panch Ramu Naik and gave an assurance over road asphalting following which Naik withdrew his agitation.