NT Reporter
Ponda
A tense exchange between Aframent-Shirshirem residents and Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar over water-related issues and the naming of their internal road as NH 566 was brought under control after Shirodkar assured the residents that their grievances would be heard and addressed.
The confrontation took place after the inauguration-related programme for the Borim-Betoda road project under PMGSY-III, where residents questioned the minister over the status and future of the road passing through Shirshirem.
Locals objected to the identification of their internal road as NH 566, alleging that residents had been kept in the dark about the move. They expressed concern that the road could eventually be widened to national highway standards, putting houses and properties located close to the existing roadside at risk in the future.
Residents also questioned whether the ongoing PMGSY-III work was being executed with a future NH 566 expansion in mind. They sought clarity on the proposed alignment, road width, land requirements and the possible impact on homes.
The road project, covering about 6.82 km from Top Cola junction to Betoda Panchayat junction, has been sanctioned at approximately Rs 5.11 crore. It includes road widening at required stretches, culverts, drainage, protection works, bituminous carpeting and road-safety
infrastructure.
The residents also raised concerns over local water-related issues, adding to the pressure on the minister during the interaction.
Shirodkar assured the residents that their concerns would not be ignored. He agreed to hear their suggestions and grievances in detail and announced that a meeting would be held at Borim Panchayat on August 29 to hear the views of local residents.
