A dug-up road in Rumdamol yet to be restored.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
South Goa District Collector’s order prohibiting individuals as well as agencies from digging any type of roads, road shoulders, lanes, or thoroughfares in the district came into force on May 15.
By the same order, however, the Collector allowed road digging, but with prior written permission from the District Collector and relevant authorities, where urgent road cutting is necessary for water, sewerage, electrical connections, or other services. The order insisted that ongoing digging work must be completed or halted, and the roads restored to their normal condition.
However, in the Salcete countryside, a drive down the roads in areas dug up for the laying of lines may turn out to be a nightmare for motorists and a death trap for pedestrians. For, as the skies have opened up, with the monsoon signalling an early arrival, roads excavated and dug up for the laying of underground cables, water lines, and gas pipelines are yet to be covered, asphalted, and restored in many places.
Roads in a couple of villages in Navelim constituency are a case in point. Roads were dug up for three different works – underground cabling, laying of a gas line, and a water pipeline between Aquem-Baixo village and Navelim.
Restoration of the dug-up roads because of underground cabling took centre stage at the recently held Rumdamol gram sabha, with members highlighting the devastation of roads and gutters caused by the gas pipeline works.
Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar was candid in admitting that the restoration of roads is still underway at many places in his constituency. “I agree that the delay in restoring the roads may cause hardships to motorists and pedestrians. But I appeal to the people to have patience, as these works will provide relief from issues relating to power and water supply, besides gas in the future,” he said.
Majorda is another village where roads were dug up for the laying of underground power cabling. PWD officials say the contractor is on the job to restore the damaged roads, but conceded that it will take some time to complete the restoration work.
A senior PWD engineer informed that cross trenches dug up in Majorda were taken up first for restoration, adding that restoring the side trenches is presently underway. "The work of restoration of the roads will continue during the rains. Soling work is presently underway at the side trenches. However, asphalting work on the restored roads will be taken up after the rains," the official said.
Sources in the know, however, suggested that the administration should come out with guidelines for the road restoration work. “Every year, the Collector issues an order imposing a ban on road digging. A similar order or guidelines should be issued for the restoration of roads, directing the agencies to complete the work within a time frame before the onset of the monsoons,” the source said.
