Team Herald
PANJIM: The iron gratings used to cover drains along D B Road in Panjim have become a significant hazard for motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, who are forced to avoid them by riding down the middle of the road, creating a dangerous situation for all commuters.
Several stretches from DSYA office, Campal to Miramar are affected, with riders veering away to the centre from the left side of the road due to the problematic drain covers. The situation is drawing increasing concern, especially with the monsoon approaching.
Francis Coelho, a resident of Panjim, highlighted the risks involved. “It is dangerous for the motorists. Accidents take place. Motorists cannot use around one metre stretch of the road. Right from DSYA office, Campal to Miramar, two-wheelers do not want to use the left side of the road. Half of the stretch of the road is entirely taken by these drain covers. So that part of the road has been rendered useless,” he said.
He added, “I am not interested who put those gratings on the drains but what is important is that someone should take note of it and corrective measures should be taken because accidents are taking place and they may be more frequent once monsoon arrives. It is time that the Smart City or Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) or the Public Works Department (PWD) pay attention to the problem and see that the issue is resolved.”
Echoing similar concerns, Sudeep Mandrekar, a motorist, said, “It is dangerous for two-wheeler riders like me as the road is not divided in two parts the way it has been done up to Kala Academy. It becomes difficult to keep two-wheelers to the left as those gratings come in the way and give a jerk.”
Dilip Naik, President of the Goa Road Safety Forum, criticised the approach taken by authorities. “I do not know what compelled the engineers to cover the drains in this way. This has been done without giving any thought. They should have realised that the mindset of the drivers would be to avoid this part of the road. They should have designed the road in such a way that motorists use the entire road and not just half of it,” he said.
“Problem is that nobody is ready to give basic requirements, forget about thinking out of the box,” Naik added.
In response, a senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) acknowledged the issue but cited logistical challenges. “Whenever we try to rectify, people do not give us enough time because if a cemented cover is to be put there, then we will have to give a curing period.”
He added that the department is awaiting a report from a consultant appointed by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), tasked with surveying all drains in the city and preparing a master plan. “They were supposed to submit the report by March this year but they have not. They have only pointed out problems but they have to give solutions to those problems. Once that is done, then either the IPSCDL will execute the work or we will do it.”
The official also mentioned a proposed plan to shift drains under the footpaths but said it was found unfeasible due to the presence of other utilities.