Four-lane project: Villagers flag safety concerns, meet MLA

Residents of Cheliyan village in the Darang area of Sulah Assembly constituency have raised safety concerns over the four-laning highway project being executed under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). They allege that public safety is being grossly ignored during the construction work, putting their lives at risk. The work is being carried out by Riddhi Siddhi Construction Company.

A delegation of the villagers met Sulah MLA and BJP state vice-president Vipin Singh Parmar and apprised him of the problems being faced by residents due to the ongoing construction work. The villagers said while development is being carried out in the name of road widening, the absence of essential safety measures has turned this project into a serious threat for the local population.

They said service lanes were being constructed without proper entry and exit points, they villagers said, adding that it could lead to accidents in future if the slip was not rectified immediately.

Another major issue is the safe movement of schoolchildren. With high-speed vehicles plying on the highway, children are finding it extremely difficult to cross the road, raising fears of serious accidents. The villagers demanded urgent safety arrangements to protect children.

They also highlighted the absence of rain shelters along the roadside, causing hardship to women, children and the elderly during extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain, cold and scorching heat.

They further demanded the provision of safe crossings and foot over bridges. The villagers have to cross the highway daily for agricultural work and other routine needs, risking their lives in the absence of proper pedestrian infrastructure, they added.

Parmar assured the villagers that their concerns would be taken up seriously with the NHAI and that the construction agency would be asked to strictly adhere to safety norms.

He said development cannot come at the cost of human lives and that road projects were meaningful only when they were safe for the public.

He added that the matter would be pursued on priority to ensure early and effective resolution.