Team Herald
MARGAO: Heavy rains on Tuesday caused severe flooding at the entrance of the South Goa District Hospital, triggering widespread frustration among citizens over the lack of response from the authorities. Many expressed anger at the lack of effective drainage on the stretch, which left water unable to flow properly.
Patients and visitors struggled to navigate the inundated area ater the rains. The road and its edges vanished under brown water, raising concerns about safety and access to emergency services. Citizens are demanding immediate action to address the drainage issues and prioritise infrastructure improvements to protect vital facilities like the hospital.
In the morning, it was evident that relatives of patients had to wade through floodwaters to reach the entrance of the hospital, which was completely inundated. The heavy rain had created a hazardous situation, with water pooling at the entrance. Observers noted that there was hardly any channel for the water to drain into the nearby nullah, exacerbating the problem. Speaking to reporters, Prabhav Naik voiced his frustration, highlighting the government’s negligence in improving road infrastructure and healthcare facilities for Goans. “The water logging at the entrance of the South Goa District Hospital not only inconveniences patients and visitors but also reflects a broader indifference from authorities”, he said. He questioned when Health Minister Vishwajit Rane will pay a visit to the district hospital in order to learn the shortfalls and improve the situation.
Mario D’Souza, another concerned citizen, pointed out that the flooding caused by heavy rains highlights the unplanned infrastructure around the hospital. He noted that there is barely any drainage, making flooding inevitable.
PWD slammed: ‘Main road level
higher than hospital entrance’
MARGAO: The Public Works Department (PWD) came under fire on Tuesday for its failure to address the persistent waterlogging at the entrance of the South Goa District Hospital. Shadow Council for Margao Convener, Savio Coutinho, strongly criticised the department for its negligence, stating that ailing people are forced to wade through dirty, stagnant water as they enter the hospital, which could potentially worsen their health conditions.
Coutinho explained that repeated hotmix carpeting of the main road in front of the hospital has raised its level above the hospital's entrance. As a result, rainwater accumulates at the entrance, causing significant inconvenience to patients and visitors. "The PWD needs to take very simple steps to allow the water to drain off, but their lethargic behaviour leads to all these problems," he remarked. Coutinho also pointed out that a nearby cross drain could easily solve the issue if the department took the simple step of cutting open a small portion of the parapet wall that currently blocks water from draining.
"It doesn't require rocket science to understand this solution," he said, sarcastically urging the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further hardships for those visiting the hospital.