Daijiworld Media Network- Ponda

Ponda, Aug 3: In a swift response to public pressure, the Public Works Department (PWD) has tarred the damaged road in Bethora, Ponda, just days after residents threatened to plant saplings in potholes if the issue was not addressed within a week.

The condition of the road, which connects Bethora to the nearby industrial estate and Ponda town, had become increasingly dangerous due to numerous potholes, posing a serious risk to daily commuters. The matter was brought to the forefront during the gram sabha meeting of the Bethora-Nirankal-Conxem-Codar panchayat held last Sunday.

Frustrated by the lack of action, villagers had issued a warning that they would begin planting saplings in the potholes as a symbolic protest against government apathy.

Sarpanch Madhu Khandeparkar acknowledged the deteriorating condition of the road and assured that the issue was being actively followed up with concerned authorities. Within days, the PWD undertook resurfacing work, much to the relief of residents and commuters.

The timely repair has been welcomed by the villagers, who now hope that the authorities will ensure better maintenance in the future to prevent such hazardous conditions from recurring.