CALANGUTE: Calangute locals, especially those involved in tourism-related businesses, are frustrated over the inordinate delay in repairing the dreaded village roads. JICA had initially assured to hotmix all roads by mid-November, but its digging works are still in progress.
The villagers claimed that the delay in completing the roads works is eating into the business of the hoteliers and shack owners, who have just put up their structures. They stated that no tourist wants to patronize a shack by going through the dusty and potholed roads of Calangute and Baga.
John Lobo, a Calangute local, vented his anger at the authorities for the inordinate delay in completing the roads works. He stated, “We have been greatly inconvenienced by the roads works of JICA, which will also affect our shack business. How long are we to suffer? The works should have been completed much before the start of the tourist season. The sewerage works are required, but this is not the way to carry it out.”
Vicky, another local, stated, “The roads are dusty, making it difficult to move in and out of our houses. Besides, they are full of potholes. The roads may not be ready even by December. Why the work is taking so long to complete?”
When contacted, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that JICA promised to complete the works by November end, which is the second deadline set by them. However, they may even miss this too.
“Everybody is anxious about the completion of the road works. I am monitoring the works daily. I recently had a meeting with JICA and the government departments concerned. Hopefully, the roads will be hot-mixed by November end without further delay,” Lobo said.
