BICHOLIM: Authorities have begun repair work of Harvalem main road but residents feel that it is just an eye wash and the issue needs some permanent solution. 

It may be recalled that the main road at Harvalem was in bad shape for the past several months, with many parts of the road covered with potholes. While one side of the road was totally washed away, motorists in a bid to avoid potholes were often seen on the wrong lane and making things dangerous not only for themselves but also for oncoming vehicles.

This problem is common every year on this stretch of the road as it is one of the busiest roads between Sanquelim to Valpoi. Every year during monsoon it develops potholes and riding a bike or driving a car becomes impossible on this stretch of road. It is heartening that authorities have awakened this year and have started repairing the road, Sagar Parwar from Harvalem told this correspondent.

According to the residents, the road in question was repaired just last year and within no time it had developed potholes.  Many have questioned the shoddy and irresponsible work by the contractor.

We don’t know as to how the road, which was hot-mixed can develop potholes and get washed away within a year. The contractor should be taken to task and questioned about the credibility of the work, Suresh Bayekar said.

Fortunately this time the authorities have not taken too much time and have woken up early, after the Sanquelim Municipal Council wrote a letter to the PWD in July to repair the road.

“The road from Dattawadi junction to Harvalem is in bad state with several potholes which has become a deathtrap for motorcyclists and the pedestrians alike. Hence it is required to fill the potholes in order to avoid accidents,” the letter read. 

Following the letter, work on filling the potholes was started. 

It seem to be an eye wash as only filling the potholes will not solve the problem and some permanent solution was required,  Bayekar said.

The situation of internal roads from Honda to Surla too is the same and several accidents have taken place on this road but no one is concerned about it. The authorities should also look into the internal roads leading to villages.