“Several important roads in and around Margao have been dug by JICA. Pits dug for manholes have been covered with mud and rubble but without any curing done. They will be tarred shortly. Once rains start these pits will sink, water will accumulate and accidents will occur. PWD and JICA should be held responsible for such accidents and made parties to them,” said Borda resident Jose Maria Miranda.
“Though the monsoons are about to start, road digging work is still going on in Navelim and the condition of the roads are horrible,” added Joseph Vaz, Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum convenor.
“We are upset with the callous attitude of the PWD and JICA authorities and might seek the intervention of Navelim MLA and fisheries minister Avertano Furtado to hold an all-stakeholders meeting along with the collector by next week. Many accidents are reported along Aquem Baixo – Navelim and Konkan Railway station entrance-Navelim road via Central Library which has caused immense hardship and inconvenience to the citizens,” added activist and Aquem resident Cedric Da Costa.
Vaz pointed out that the Navelim Church to Rawanfond road is dug up at many places and complained that the contractor’s engineer is very abusive and boasts that he has orders from the collector to close the road completely.
“When there were showers recently, many two-wheeler riders fell and had to be hospitalized. Vehicles also were damaged. Even without rains, the condition of the ‘diversions’ are very bad from a comfort level as well as a safety point,” added Vaz.
The citizens further gave an example of how there was a case of a pregnant woman who had to be rushed to hospital after travelling on this road. Locals complained that there were accidents that had resulted in the loss of life as well and that this cannot continue unattended.
Locals also worried if proper filling of the road is done after such deep digging. “In fact after filling, they always keep a ‘hump’ on the road or a depression, rarely is the road leveled properly. Also many landowners complain that the mud dumped in their properties has not been removed yet,” added Vaz.
