THOMAS FERNANDES
CALANGUTE
How long should it take authorities to repair a waterlogged stretch of the road, a few days or a few weeks perhaps?
Locals have complained that a portion of the road near the busy Falcon Resort bus stand at Naikka Vaddo in Calangute has been waterlogged every monsoon since the past seven years.
While admitting that the waterlogged portion of the road has caused hardship to people, elected representatives have now pointed fingers at each other for the mess.
The entire area around the Falcon Resort bus stand gets filled with rainwater, making it difficult for people to board buses and for other people moving in and out of their homes, located in the vicinity.
“I have been witnessing this waterlogged spot for years together, with no solution in sight. Residents and tourists in the area cannot cross the roads without getting muddy water splashed on them. There is considerable difficulty in getting in and out of the buses as it is the main bus stop for residents of Tivai waddo and Naikka Vaddo. Authorities need to set aside their petty politics and resolve the issue,” remarked a resident, Mart D’Mello.
When contacted, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo sought to blame the Calangute panchayat, but added that he would initiate steps to solve the issue.
“The PWD did try to resolve the problem by constructing a cross drain, but it did not work as the Calangute Panchayat failed to clear the adjoining drains to ensure the smooth flow of water.”
“I will direct the PWD to raise the height of the road like the one done along the Candolim-Calangute border and clear the adjoining drains to resolve the issue once for all after the rains. I assure residents in the area that there will be no water logging at the Falcon Resort bus stand from the next monsoon onwards,” assured Lobo.
Calangute Panch and de facto leader Joseph Sequeira insisted that the waterlogged portion was the fault of the PWD. “The Calangute Panchayat has been clearing the adjoining drains annually just before the monsoon, as part of its pre-monsoon works and the drains are clear of any waste or mud,” said Sequeira.
“The water-logging of rainwater is due to haphazard works by the PWD and is not the fault of the panchayat. The PWD never approached the panchayat to resolve the issue in coordination with the local body. The PWD constructed a cross drain without raising the height of the road and we did not interfere with the PWD work, as we were being targeted and FIRs were being filed against the local body members for interfering in the work.”
I will direct the PWD to raise the height of the road like the one done along the Candolim-Calangute border and clear the adjoining drains to resolve the issue once for all after the rains. I assure residents in the area that there will be no water logging at the Falcon Resort bus stand from the next monsoon onwards
Michael Lobo,
Calangute MLA
