Mapusa, the centre of Bardez and the most visited place in North Goa, famous for the Friday market, is still not prepared for the monsoons. Thousands of people visit Mapusa every day — locals as well tourists. However, the problems faced by people, have worsened after the rains.
Bad roads, no proper parking, incomplete drainage work and water logging in market are few problems faced by the public.
For the past few years, Mapxemkars are waiting for the major sewerage project to complete. Because of this project, not only the main roads but all the internal roads have been dug and some are left incomplete. Were the authorities not bound to complete the work and hot mix the roads before rains, ask the locals.
The main roads are hot-mixed with proper layer but some are just hot-mixed with single layer due to which the tar has washed out and the roads are full of potholes causing inconvenience to the people.
Also the authorities have beautified only some entry points of Mapusa. The entry point from Bodgini to Mapusa from Panjim has been beautified with proper illumination but the entry point from Parra the road had many potholes. The other entry points from Canca and Khorlim which were hot-mixed temporarily, have again returned to its original size with potholes making the road uneven.
The other major problem causing inconvenience to people is incomplete and improper drainage work carried by GSUDA.
Since the Mapusa market is situated at a low level, the water from the higher areas overflows and enters directly into the market. If it rains for two hours the Mapusa market turns into a pond.
GSUDA has taken up the work of desilting and construction of drains. The municipality had assured the people that work of desilting and repairs would be completed by May 30, but the work is still not completed and GSUDA is still busy constructing the drains.
The lane from Union Pharmacy to Aldona bus stand, which is part of the desilting and construction of drains, is mostly used as parking place but since GSUDA has not covered the drains properly the parking area has reduced.
Sources said the size of the new drains has decreased due to which the rain water does not flow smoothly and overflows on to the roads and on many an occasion, also enters the shops.
Other problems are the pools of water, stray cattle on the streets and dumping of garbage on the land acquired for new Mapusa bus stand. Even before the authorities could start work on the bus stand, the land is occupied for parking of inter-state Volvo buses. The people have to wade through the pools of water with their luggage to reach their bus.
Fiona D’Souza, a local, said, “This is a daily situation in Mapusa. The authorities fail to complete the work in time and rush over it at the last moment putting people into inconvenience. The construction of roads, cleaning of gutters should have been planned and done before the monsoons.”
