Team Herald
MARGAO: The heavy showers from June to September have wreaked havoc on the Margao to Quepem road, riddling it with potholes, with various portions caving in or getting severely eroded putting the lives of commuters and locals at risk.
Locals claimed that the same road has been dug up on a couple of occasions for laying sewerage lines.
The condition of the road was bad before the onset of the monsoon and intensified digging by the Sewerage Corporation amidst the heavy showers has rendered the surface extremely difficult to negotiate, lamented citizens.
“ Motorists and pedestrians find it difficult to move around on the road due to accumulation of water in the potholes. In certain areas, stretches of the road has been washed away and the PWD has failed to repair the damaged roads,” claimed locals.
“Residents are suffering as one can neither walk nor ride on two-wheelers. There have been instances of people getting injured after falling off their bikes while the government has remained insensitive to the sufferings of the people,” said another local.
Locals highlighted that this is not the first time the road has been disrupted for projects like the sewage network, including previous sewerage network installations, causing considerable inconvenience and hardship.
Francis Colaco, a resident of Dicarpale, provided insight into the situation, explaining that the road needed to be dug up again in their village due to its low-lying nature and past issues with sewerage line functionality caused by heavy water logging.
He stressed the importance of careful planning by the authorities to prevent further disruptions once the current work is completed.
Colaco emphasized that proper coordination and execution are crucial to avoid repeated inconveniences and ensure long-term stability of the road.
Leena Naik, another resident, raised concerns about the safety of travellers on the poorly illuminated road, stating that minor accidents have already occurred in the past. She highlighted the numerous potholes on the road, which make travel particularly challenging for motorists.
“Several potholes can be noticed on the road and motorists are facing a tough time to travel. The concerned authorities need to start the repair work immediately to prevent more accidents due to the pathetic conditions of this stretch,” demanded Naik.