PWD came under harsh criticism from the legislators, for the dilapidated conditions of the roads across Goa, which, according to them, have turned into death-traps for commuters.
The MLAs pointed out that potholes, poor road quality and reinstatement of roads, haphazard digging has led to series of accidents, with lives being lost. especially during the ongoing monsoons. The legislators slammed the govt for their lackluster approach and accused the PWD of not assessing the same while constructing or maintaining these roads.
The Opposition Congress moved a cut motion to the PWD demands over the poor conditions of the roads, which they pointed had caused major hardships to the commuters. Participating in the discussion, Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane suggested that government should inspect all the major roads in the State and carry out necessary repair works, using good quality products, ensuring that commuters have safe travel now during the monsoon. “The govt needs to take some immediate steps to ensure the safety of the people. Post monsoon, long term measures can be adopted. But people need some immediate relief now,” he said. Congress MLA Ravi Naik blamed the haphazard digging without proper coordination, for worsening the situation, and accused the depts concerned of failing to reinstate the roads post their digging activity is completed. Naik also urged the govt not to turn Goa into a concrete jungle by constructing series of flyovers and retaining walls. Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco said that PWD should be held accountable for all the accidents that are taking place as a result of bad roods. “PWD has so much staff but they don’t seem to have the expertise for good quality of roads,” he charged.
BJP MLA Babush Monserrate, supporting the demands, said that haphazard cutting of roads and failure to reinstate it; has also been one of the reasons why the roads have deteriorated so badly. He said agencies are being granted permission for road digging without a proper execution plan and that the authorities are least bothered to ensure that the roads are in proper shape once it has been dug.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte said that providing good roads to the people is their fundamental right as they are tax payers. He and GFP MLA Jayesh Salgaoncar demanded that the govt immediately repairs the Chogam road and the circuit road, heading towards the beach belt.
Former PWD MinisterChurchill Almeao urged the govt not to be biased towards any constituency. He also urged the dept to take up drives to clean the choked drains across the State, to prevent flooding.
