Team Herald
MARGAO: Just as residents of Gogol Housing Board and Vidhyanagar were recovering from the chaos caused by road digging for sewerage pipelines, a fresh round of excavation has begun—this time for the installation of underground pipelines to supply piped natural gas to households.
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Residents allege that these continuous developments have led to an increase in civic issues, including frequent disruptions in electricity and water supply, as well as severe traffic congestion.
“It has become extremely difficult to step out of the house due to this never-ending development work, first for sewerage pipelines and now for piped natural gas,” a resident complained. “The dust pollution has worsened, forcing us to keep our doors and windows closed.”
Mahesh Naik, a resident, expressed frustration over the slow pace of work.
“The ongoing pipeline installation has led to significant dust pollution and traffic congestion and frequent power and water supply disruptions,” said Naik and added that on Tuesday, there was no water supply throughout the day at the Housing Board, causing immense hardship for residents.
Another resident, Mangal Das Raiker, noted that the sewage pipeline work began last year but remains incomplete, with road digging still ongoing in Gogol and surrounding areas. “Traffic jams have become a daily occurrence since last week. Instead of restoring the dug-up trenches, workers are digging further into Gogol and the Housing Board, leaving previously dug trenches uncovered. This makes the roads increasingly risky and narrow for vehicles,” he said.
He further added that roads have been cut in the middle and filled with mud instead of being properly covered with cement. “We pay road tax, yet roads in several parts of Salcete village have deteriorated due to constant digging and cutting. This issue needs urgent attention,” he emphasised.
Senior citizen Laximan Naik expressed concerns over severe traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, as buses and other vehicles struggle to navigate the narrowed roads. “Commuters are not only facing dangerous driving conditions but also dealing with delays that affect their daily work,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, residents have urged authorities to carry out road digging in phases, ensuring that roads are restored patch by patch wherever excavation takes place. They have also suggested widening the roads, as the continuous digging has reduced their width, further worsening traffic conditions. Additionally, residents have called for proper deployment of traffic police to manage vehicle movement and prevent further chaos.
A local shop owner in Gogal voiced his frustration, stating that the road in front of his shop has been dug up, leading to heavy traffic congestion and increased dust pollution. “We are suffering every day. Shops in the area have seen a drop in business. Parents and students also find it difficult to use roads near schools,” he added.
