Designated PWD officer flooded with irrelevant calls, messages
MAPUSA
An initiative aimed at addressing commuter grievances during the construction of the elevated corridor in Porvorim has turned into a logistical nightmare for the Public Works Department (PWD).
A senior PWD official, whose contact number was shared publicly as a helpline, has been inundated with irrelevant calls and messages, creating more problems than solutions.
PWD Executive Engineer (National Highway) Jude Carvalho, who oversees the elevated corridor project, expressed frustration over the overwhelming response since his number went viral on social media on Wednesday.
“This has gone completely out of control. I am receiving messages and calls from everywhere, including from people abroad. It is interfering with my ability to focus on the project,” Carvalho said.
The helpline was announced in the High Court during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning commuter hardships along the Porvorim stretch.
Advocate General Devidas Panjam had informed the court that grievances could be submitted in messages of up to 50 words, which would then be reviewed and acted upon by authorities.
However, Carvalho revealed that the majority of messages were irrelevant.
“Ninety percent of the messages have nothing to do with the project. People are asking if plots are available for sale in Porvorim or reporting potholes in far-off areas like Bicholim. Others are sending congratulatory messages to me, my department and even the Chief Minister,” he said.
The inundation hasn’t been limited to messages alone.
Carvalho reported being bombarded with calls at all hours, even as early as 3.30 am.
“I have to answer these calls because they could be important, but most are unnecessary. This has turned into an absolute disaster,” he lamented.
Despite the chaos, Carvalho said there was one practical suggestion among the hundreds of messages received.
A motorist recommended implementing single-lane driving along the construction stretch to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Acting on this, Carvalho directed the contractor to install signboards urging motorists to follow single-lane driving.
“I’ve also coordinated with traffic officials, and we’ll try this approach,” he added.
The initiative to provide a direct grievance redressal channel, while well-intentioned, has highlighted the challenges of public communication during large-scale infrastructure projects.
Whether the authorities will revise the grievance submission process remains to be seen, but for now, the helpline has become more of a burden than a solution.
