Most areas in Margao have been blessed with shiny, new and smooth roads right up till Aquem. However, for the last three years now, a 7500 plus voter base at the Housing Board has been battling with poor roads, thanks to the laying of sewerage lines and man holes. The area is dominated by the working class who have been facing the hassle of bad roads for a long time without much complaint.
The roads in the area were tarred about five years ago but constant digging in the area has lead to potholes and dust in the air. What is even more surprising is that the roads in front of the office of the MLA of Curtorim, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco are also in bad condition and nothing seems to be improving there.
The Gogol area is currently facing a problem of a lack of roads. Roads were dug up for the laying of power lines and a sewerage line by JICA, etc. The areas however, were dug up and the work was completed almost two years ago. But the roads have been left in shoddy condition without any patch work. The potholes and manholes are a threat to daily commuters.
The main road leading to the last bus stop in the area has been dug up four times in the last year and a half or two years to construct manholes. When Herald inquired about the issue with the supervisors there, we were told that they are looking for the deepest point for proper engineering of the system. Additionally, the lack of proper supervision has caused labourers to be irregular which prolongs the pending work.
Growing tired of the hassles, the residents of the Housing Board recently organized a protest march demanding good roads. Sidhit Pai Raiturkar who is a resident of the area said, “Last three years, the work of laying the sewerage line is on the Housing Board. When we met the sewerage department over the problems last year, before the monsoons, it was told to us that the work would be completed before the following monsoons. Unfortunately, they’re still doing more digging work to construct manholes and it doesn’t look like the work will be completed any time soon.”
When Herald inquired with JICA officials and engineers, we were told that the pressure testing of the line is currently underway and only after this gets completed will the order for patchwork or re-tarring of the roads be undertaken.
“We are breathing in dust every day and our vehicles have to also bear the brunt of this unfortunate situation. The situation has now started affecting our lives and they only seem to be getting worse with each passing day,” said a housewife from the area.
“We are middle and lower class folk who don’t cause a hue and commotion and get on to the streets for every little demand. May be it is because of this that we are being taken for granted,” said Anil Patil, another affected resident.
The roads ahead of the Housing Board towards Ramnagari have also been dug and left unrepaired for over four years. The roads are most frequently used by people proceeding towards Sao Jose de Areal, Chandor, Sanvordem and further. Huge potholes and unfilled digging wreak havoc on the daily route of commuters.
Local ward councillor, Raju Shirodkar, meanwhile has said that the tender to complete the road work has been undertaken. However, the pessimistic approach of people to pay money and take the connections of the sewerage line has kept the work on hold. “A tender worth Rs 4 crore has been undertaken, which includes internal and main roads. The work on another 10 or so pits near Bhatikar School is yet to begin and won’t be able to be completed before the monsoons can hit the state,” Raju explained.
“There is no point in criticizing bad roads as nothing is improving despite commenting on numerous occasions,” Raju added.
