The State government’s commitment to smoother roads by September 30 has once more fallen short, highlighting the ongoing neglect and inefficiency affecting road infrastructure. Despite tall promises from the newly appointed PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, the reality remains bleak as the condition of roads continues to deteriorate. Potholes and worn-out portions still dominate the landscape, transforming everyday commutes into risky challenges. This repeated failure raises grave concerns about the government's priorities, accountability, and ability to protect its citizens.
The monsoon, often cited as the roadblock for repairs, is well-known to citizens. These justifications have been repeatedly used, resulting in minimal real improvements, despite the monsoon having officially withdrawn and the state witnessing occasional passing showers. Senior officials often cite the damage caused by digging by other departments. However, that has been settled with the PWD minister mandating a sanction from the department as a matter of protocol.
The unfortunate event involving an ambulance overturning while avoiding potholes in Socorro highlights the dangers. In September, a 25-year-old architect died after his motorcycle lost control on the Cunchelim-Marna road in Mapusa while trying to avoid potholes. A few days later, another death was reported on the same road. In the same month, a car lost control after a wheel entered a pothole at Taleigao, but the occupants had a lucky escape. A 52-year-old two-wheeler rider from Margao, Rajaram Tulekar, died in a self-accident on the Usgao-Tisk road after landing in a pothole.
The problem is exacerbated by Goa’s troubling road accident statistics. According to the 2023 NCRB data, the state records 156 negligent deaths — an alarming figure that places Goa above many smaller states in terms of road fatalities. The overall number of 185 lives lost reflects systemic failures in road safety management. The high accident rates year after year, partly due to poor road conditions, highlight the government's inability to maintain road infrastructure. The numbers are not merely statistics; they represent tragic losses that emphasise the urgency for carrying out timely road repairs.
Kamat’s appointment as PWD Minister did bring hopes of swift solutions, inspired by his previous success as a power minister in earlier regimes. He was known for his quick response, delivery, and innovation in the sector with concepts like mobile transformers. His analogy implies a proactive, responsive strategy—“just like we ensured power supply without delay, we’ll ensure road users notice the difference.” While such promises foster optimism, their legitimacy still needs to be demonstrated. The real challenge lies not just in quick solutions but in sustainable, long-term infrastructure growth that can withstand monsoon challenges and prevent future deterioration.
The continuous failure to meet deadlines, along with increasing accident fatalities, indicates a disturbing trend of government indifference. We have seen it with successive PWD ministers. Goa's roads symbolise a pattern that is high on promise but very low on delivery. Citizens are left to navigate perilous routes, endangering their lives daily, while officials shift blame or provide routine justifications. The question is, why set deadlines if they can’t be met?
The ongoing inability to repair its roads in time showcases a broader issue that characterises neglect, poor planning, and political shortsightedness. Until meaningful action supersedes empty promises, residents will keep experiencing dangerous travels, and the tragic count of road accidents will continue to rise. A comprehensive, accountable strategy that prioritises safety, repairs, and maintenance over fleeting promises is the need of the hour.
