A stretch of Chogm Road in Calangute that was recently hotmixed has been dug up again within just three days, triggering strong reactions from residents and political activists. The stretch between the Calangute Police Station and St Alex Church had only recently been reopened to traffic after resurfacing work was completed.
The hotmixing work was launched by local leaders including Michael Lobo and Joseph Sequeira. However, soon after the road was opened, authorities began digging the same stretch again to carry out culvert repair work.
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According to officials, an old Portuguese-era culvert located beneath the road reportedly collapsed while the work was underway. This prompted the Public Works Department to reopen the stretch to repair the damaged structure and ensure proper drainage and road safety.
The sudden digging of the freshly repaired road has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and locals, who have accused authorities of poor planning and wasting public funds. Many residents expressed frustration, pointing out that the road had barely been reopened before excavation began again.
Commuters using the busy Calangute stretch have also faced inconvenience due to the repeated closures and diversions. The road has witnessed multiple disruptions over the past year due to pipeline works and other infrastructure repairs.
Local authorities say the culvert repair is necessary to prevent further damage and assure that the road remains stable in the long term. However, residents are demanding better coordination between departments to avoid repeated digging and inconvenience to the public.
