The recent downpours haven’t just opened up potholes across Panjim — they’ve also exposed gaping holes in the grand claims made by officials about the completion and quality of Smart City works. As rainwater collects in crumbling stretches of road, the narrative of a modern, well-planned city infrastructure is rapidly falling apart, leaving behind a trail of frustration and questions.
One of the most glaring examples is the stretch near the junction close to Hotel Vivanta, where potholes have reappeared just weeks after the supposed completion of roadworks. Similar conditions plague other parts of the city, including Bhatlem and Santa Cruz, revealing what many residents say is a clear case of substandard execution under the Smart City banner.
In Bhatlem, residents are increasingly vocal about the poor state of the main road. Although sections have been paved with interlocking blocks, the surface remains uneven and treacherous, especially for two-wheelers navigating the rains. An alternative route, constructed to facilitate bridge work along the Mala–St Cruz Road, is also riddled with potholes, resulting in bumpy and unsafe rides for motorists.
“It is difficult to drive on this type of road, especially during rains. If you are riding a two-wheeler, it becomes more challenging. The road is uneven and full of potholes at multiple places. The paving of blocks has made it more uneven,” said Rohan Mandrekar, a motorist.
Ranjit Kumar, a local resident, echoed this frustration. “This is not new for us. Last year the road remained with potholes for a considerable period of time even during rains. After much hue and cry, it was repaired, but again see the condition. Potholes have appeared. We do not know when we are going to get rid of this problem,” he said.
Activist Mariano Ferrao was blunt in his criticism of the authorities. “The rain of 15–20 days has exposed the substandard work carried out by the contractors. This means a considerable amount of taxpayers' money has gone down the drains. But the sad part is that there is nobody to take responsibility for this. The authorities are interested in lip service and show off. The question is who benefits from this – contractor, public or the authorities. Certainly it is not benefiting common people,” he said.
He added, “The roads are so dangerous that there can be accidents at any moment of time. People may lose their lives. Already there have been fatal accidents. When will the roads be laid properly? We are tired of raising our voice.”
Another local activist, Anthony D’silva, questioned the delay in addressing these perennial issues. “The roads with potholes are dangerous for motorists. The state has started receiving rains for the past few days.
Even June has not ended and this is the condition of Smart City roads. I do not know why the local issues have not been fixed yet. I do not know what type of rocket science is required to fill the potholes. This is really a nuisance for the city as well as the state,” he said.
As the rain persists, so does the public’s frustration — with no real solutions in sight, only more waterlogged promises.