A number of roads in Vasco are in a dilapidated condition and are unsafe for pedestrians and motorists, but what has become a common exercise is the blame game by the authorities and politicians
Vasco already plays host to the Goa River Marathon at Baina and it could well host a dirt road rotor rally, given the condition of many roads in the port town.
A number of roads in Vasco are in a dilapidated condition and are unsafe for pedestrians and motorists, but what has become a common exercise is the blame game by the authorities and politicians.
The recently asphalted road from Chicalim Junction to St Andrew’s Church square Vasco was dug near the KTC bus stand to lay a PWD water pipeline to connect the water reservoir at INS Gomantak.
The decision to dig a newly asphalted road ran contrary to Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida’s warning to residents and commercial establishments that he would not permit digging of asphalted roads for underground utilities.
Going against his own word, Almeida allowed the PWD to dig the road near KTC bus stand to lay a connecting pipeline to the reservoir at INS Gomantak within one month of asphalting the road.
When contacted, Almeida assured that he would direct the PWD (water section) to restore the road to its original state once the work is over. However, work to restore the road was not done and it now poses a great danger to motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, at night.
Another nightmare for motorists is the pot-holed road under the railway bridge on the way proceeding to Mangor. In the last week of April, Almeida had inaugurated the work to lay interlocking tiles to avoid potholes during the monsoon.
Till date, the interlocking tiles are yet to be laid and the road under the bridge is once again full of potholes.
Asked about the interlocking tiles, Almeida initially blamed the monsoon for the delay in the laying of interlocking tiles.
When reminded that the launching was done in the last week of April, Almeida replied: “I wanted quality tiles, but the contractor couldn’t deliver it on time and this delayed the work.”
Asked why he did not direct the PWD (roads division) to asphalt the road before monsoon, he said the PWD (roads division) did asphalt the potholes-ridden road before monsoon, but Almeida blamed the railway over bridge for the potholes on the road below.
“Rainwater seeps through the railway bridge and this is responsible for potholes on the road below,” said Almeida.
Besides these two roads, the road near the Vasco vegetable market was recently tarred after PWD laid a sewage pipe but it has now deteriorated just as fast.
When asked to comment on the poor condition of roads in Vasco, PWD (roads division) Assistant Engineer Ibrahim K A also claimed that water seepage from the railway over bridge had led to potholes on the road below the bridge.
To a query on why his office had not take corrective measures prior to monsoons, Ibrahim said: “We had floated tenders to lay pavers in April and the work order was awarded to a construction company from Pernem.”
“The construction company was supposed to complete the work by June. However, the construction company failed to start the work, due to which the present situation has arisen and people have had to suffer. Despite sending several reminders to the construction company to complete the work, they have failed to reply.”
When asked if he had recommended the termination of the work order awarded to the construction company for failing to complete the work, Ibrahim replied in the negative.
Commenting on the deplorable condition of the road near the KTC bus stand and Vasco vegetable market, Ibrahim replied: “The road from KTC bus stand falls under the jurisdiction of National Highways and they are supposed to maintain the road.”
“Regarding the road at the Vasco vegetable market, I have directed the sewage department to fill the potholes with rubble as they had dug the road to lay the sewage pipeline.”
