Surat: Residents of the Punagam area staged a protest on Wednesday, alleging that the civic authorities have failed to complete road construction more than a year after carrying out demolitions along both sides of a key road. They also raised concerns over electricity poles that continue to stand at their original locations despite the road widening.The issue concerns an approximately one-kilometre stretch near Deepmala and Nandanvan societies, where demolitions were carried out to widen the road to its planned width of nine metres. Although around eight feet of additional road space was cleared, construction work is yet to begin on the demolished stretch. Remnants of demolished structures and electricity poles at their old positions continue to pose obstacles and safety risks, the protesters said.The protest was led by former Surat Municipal Primary Education Committee member Suresh Suhagiya and former corporator Dinesh Savaliya. Residents of Deepmala Society, Nandanvan Society, Omkar Society and neighbouring areas participated in the demonstration, raising slogans and displaying placards demanding immediate action.Protesters alleged that private properties were demolished as part of a planned road-widening project more than a year ago, but the authorities have failed to construct a proper paved road. As a result, commuters are forced to negotiate an unfinished and potentially hazardous stretch.“Parts of demolished cement-concrete structures are still lying on the ground because the road has not been constructed. The electricity poles are another major threat, as they have not been shifted to the roadside despite the widening work,” said Kamlesh Vekariya, president of Deepmala Society.The issue has also triggered controversy over the partial implementation of the demolition drive. While demolition was carried out along a section of the road, work came to a halt near Gitanagar Society. Residents alleged that the remaining demolition had been stalled due to political pressure, preventing the project from moving forward.“The authorities have been careless in ensuring that the project is completed within a stipulated timeframe. They should construct the road and shift the electricity poles immediately, as their current positions pose a serious threat to public safety,” Suhagiya said.However, officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) East Zone-A (Varachha) said the road-widening project had been halted due to a legal dispute, with some property owners approaching the court against the proposed widening.“Once the entire road-widening process is completed, the civic and electricity authorities can undertake the shifting of electricity lines and other utilities. We are working to address residents’ concerns by taking the necessary steps,” an official said.
