The Public Works Department (PWD) is seized of the road conditions throughout the state and is waiting for the rains to recede.
PWD Chief Engineer Ulhas Parsekar, speaking to Herald, said that the PWD is aware of poor road conditions.
“We have already done the tendering, for repairs of these roads would begin once the rains recede as starting work at this moment will be of no use as the tar and other material will be washed away,” said Parsekar.
He stated that in a few places like Kadamba Road and Porvorim, where major projects are underway, the condition of roads has deteriorated. “It is due to the ongoing projects like the Mandovi bridge on NH4A extension at Merces or the JICA sewage works in Calangute-Baga,” the chief engineer said.
Asked why the potholes on the Porvorim stretch (new service road) are not filled yet, he said, “the road work has to be undertaken by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation as they have done the diversion from existing road due to bridge work,” he said.
When Herald contacted GSIDC Managing Director Sanjith Rodrigues for his views on the Porvorim road, he said the GSIDC is not responsible for roads and the PWD has to take care.
“The GSIDC is only concerned regarding the lighting and pavements and nothing else,” he said.
When this was pointed to Parsekar again, he said, “let me speak to Sanjith and I will get it sorted,” he said.
Herald has already reported on the bad conditions of the road in Porvorim, Calangute and Merces in its daily editions.
However, even a week after the reports appeared in the paper the authorities are yet to act.
The condition of the roads is such that it could result in fatalities and it seems like government is waiting for a major tragedy to happen.
