
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has issued a notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) concerning the severely dilapidated roads in the region, citing violations of basic human rights.
This action follows a petition by Sharlet Fernandes, Panch of the Utorda–Calata–Majorda village panchayat, who submitted a formal complaint underscoring the hardship residents and commuters face due to the terrible road conditions.
The GHRC’s notice directs the Principal Engineer of the PWD to respond, with a hearing scheduled for September 15.
This development builds upon a series of reports highlighting chronic infrastructure failures across Goa. Earlier this year, O Heraldo drew attention to faded and unmarked speed breakers in Majorda, calling them hazards for unwary motorists and urging the PWD and local panchayat to act before a serious accident occurs.
Meanwhile, broader concerns over the quality of road repairs prompted the Chief Minister in April 2025 to reaffirm that both contractors and PWD engineers would be held accountable under defect-liability clauses—a measure designed to ensure timely, cost-free repairs.
Additionally, a preliminary audit of internal roads appeared to support these claims, leading the administration to commit to enforcing repairs through contractual obligations.
Compounding the infrastructure woes, an earlier exposé based on PWD’s mobile app data revealed that from May 2024 to February 2025, citizens lodged over 16,400 complaints—averaging 1,600 per month—largely related to potholes and poor road access. While the department claimed to have resolved all complaints, the volume itself speaks volumes about the depth of the problem.
Against this backdrop of persistent infrastructure failures, Sharlet Fernandes’ petition has injected fresh urgency—and a human rights dimension—into the debate. Her petition, focused on Utorda–Calata–Majorda, echoes long-standing frustrations over public safety, accessibility, and government responsiveness.
Now, with a formal GHRC hearing set for September 15, both the PWD’s handling and the broader systemic issues affecting Goa’s roads are squarely in the spotlight.
This upcoming hearing could well become a landmark in holding authorities accountable and reaffirming that public infrastructure is not just a technical issue—it’s a fundamental civic right.
The GHRC’s notice directs PWD’s Principal Engineer to respond
Hearing scheduled for Sept 15, which could well become a landmark in holding authorities accountable and reaffirming that public infrastructure is a fundamental civic right
The development builds upon a series of reports highlighting chronic infrastructure failures across Goa
O Heraldo had earlier drew attention to faded and unmarked speed breakers in Majorda, calling them hazards for unwary motorists, urging the PWD and panchayat to act before a serious accident occurs