Widen service road near Karmal Ghat: Locals

Canacona: Locals in Canacona have demanded widening of the 600m road stretch from the Canacona-Agonda-Khola MDR 49 to the NH 66 highway at the foot of Karmal Ghat. Locals of Agonda, Saleri and parts of Khola use it as a shorter route to get to Balli, Cuncolim and Margao.A former sarpanch of Agonda said that the road that passes through forest land was initially constructed for other purposes like access to the forest, but has now become one of the busiest service roads and an important link between the NH 66 and MDR 49. Besides, a large number of tourists also use this road to travel to and from the highway, he said.The narrow road and the forest trees leaning onto it in a precarious manner pose a risk to motorists, said locals.“Sometimes, a fallen tree or a big branch disrupts traffic for a long time till someone calls for fire and emergency services to clear the route. During major accidents from the foot of Karmal Ghat to the Char Rasta bypass, this road becomes very useful,” said a local.