While the State pumps hundreds of crores into a flashy new elevated corridor, ordinary commut ers in Porvorim are being forced to risk limb and life daily, negotiating a heavi ly battered stretch of road completely riddled with deep potholes and uneven patches. The deteriorating road situation has raised serious concerns over safety and the apparent lack of timely intervention by the author ities. Vehicles are forced to slow down and manoeuvre around the damaged por tions, often leaving little room for motorists travelling in the opposite direction. The situation poses a par ticular risk to two-wheeler riders, who could easily lose balance while attempting to avoid the potholes, especial ly during wet conditions.
A fall on the uneven surface could result in serious inju ries. The battered road is also a concern for motorists with back problems, as negotiat ing the deep potholes and rough patches can cause considerable discomfort and aggravate existing ail ments. Commuters have ques tioned the authorities over the prolonged neglect of the road and urged the con cerned department to take immediate steps to repair the damaged stretch before a major accident occurs. Vishal Naik, a motorist from Bicholim, said, “The govern ment has money to spend on an elevated corridor worth crores, but apparently has no money to repair the roads that people use every day. What is the point of building fly overs if the approach roads are full of potholes? Road main tenance should be a basic priority.” A local resident on condition of anonymity said, “Por vorim residents and commuters have already been putting up with traffic diversions, construction activity and delays because of the ongoing infrastructure works. On top of that, we now have to navigate roads like these.
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The authorities should at least ensure that existing roads are motorable and safe.” Prabhu Chari, a motorist from Dharbandora, said, “How many accidents will it take for the authorities to wake up? Two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable on these roads. The government talks about modern infrastructure and big projects, but repairing potholes is not a luxury — it is a basic responsibility.” Residents said that authorities should not wait for a seri ous mishap to take place before acting. The question now is whether the government is waiting for an accident to hap pen before addressing the hazardous road condition.
