MARGAO: Although the Principal Chief Engineer, vide a circular issued on April 17, 2017, had directed that no tenders would be invited for six types of works till the end of monsoon haphazard internal work has increased public woes.
This would effectively mean that roads that have developed potholes during monsoons are not likely to be repaired soon and people would have to endure the bumpy rides for some time.
Besides, the circular also points to the fact that subsequently all works would have to be initiated departmentally. The circular seems to have caused confusion as many roads in Margao have developed potholes and are not being repaired because the Public Works Department (PWD) does not have funds to procure the material required to carry out the repair work.
The Principal Chief Engineer had directed that no tenders would be invited for six types of works including filling of potholes and depressions, raising side shoulders, cleaning of vegetation, cleaning of side drains and cleaning of cross drains, would have to be departmentally done, using departmental staff and material.
In fact, Executive Engineer said the department had filled the potholes before the onset of monsoons with the resources available and were now handicapped as they do not have any material left.
Most interior roads in Margao are in a terrible state, particularly in Aquem and Borda areas.
Another problem faced by motorists in Margao was the failure to repair the dug-up road at Arlem junction in Fatorda. It may be recalled that the South Goa Collector had issued an order that no digging would be permitted after May 15 till the end of monsoons.
However, following Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s noting dated May 24, 2017, JICA was allowed to dig-up the road near the Arlem junction to repair the sewerage pipeline. While JICA undertook the necessary repairs, the road had not been filled-up properly or asphalted and was only covered with mud and rubble, causing hardships to motorists, as most of it has been washed away due to rains.
To make matters worse, the road leading to the Margao crematorium has also been dug-up to lay some pipes, in scant disregard to the Collector’s order banning digging of roads.
