MARGAO: The heavy rainfall in Margao on Friday resulted in traffic snarls at several major junctions, exacerbated by extensive waterlogging on the roads.
In particular, the left side of the recently repaired roads opposite the South Goa District Hospital and the roads leading to the Old Market circle suffered from numerous craters and potholes. The presence of water on the road surface made it difficult for commuters to identify these hazardous potholes.
Consequently, the usable width of the road decreased due to water accumulation, forcing commuters to stick to the right side of the road, causing traffic snarls.
Sadly, individuals visiting the District Hospital were also forced to wade through water due to the absence of a proper drainage system.
Further along, at the Old Market Circle, the breakdown of a KTC bus during the afternoon rush aggravated the traffic jam at
the junction.
A similar traffic jam occurred at the Margao-Comba railway crossing. As the underpass experienced waterlogging issues, people could only utilise the railway crossing. However, whenever the railway gate closed, it led to major chaos on both sides of the crossing. Commuters questioned why traffic police were not stationed there to manage the flow of traffic at rush hour.
After the showers, one side of the recently opened Seraulim underpass was flooded, with mud and debris blocking part of the road. Locals questioned what will happen when there are longer spells of heavy rains while Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas urged both the local PWD and South Western Railway (SWR) to rectify the issue.
