Slush and stagnant water to add another layer of danger
HIGHWAY WOES: Ongoing construction of the elevated highway has choked the 6-km stretch through Porvorim, turning it into a daily bottleneck for commuters.
Photo Credits: Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
As the monsoon clouds gather once again, commuters on the Sangolda junction-Porvorim stretch of National Highway 66 are bracing themselves for yet another season of traffic chaos, slush-filled roads and endless delays.
With the construction of the elevated corridor still far from complete, this marks the second consecutive monsoon of hardship for thousands of daily travellers using this vital 6-kilometre stretch.
What was once a busy but functional road has now turned into a punishing obstacle course, thanks to the ongoing highway construction that has left the existing road narrow, uneven and a slushy nightmare in the rains.
The nearly 2-kilometre stretch between Sangolda junction and O’Coqueiro circle in Porvorim has become particularly dangerous, with motorists calling it “shattering, risky and unsafe,” especially for two-wheeler riders and emergency vehicles.
“Last year we struggled with potholes and flooded roads and this year it looks like we’re going to face the same fate. The authorities had a clear window of five dry days to repair the stretch last week, but nothing much has been done,” said Rajendra Naik, a daily commuter from Mapusa to Panaji.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and NH-66 project contractors have drawn criticism from locals for failing to carry out temporary repairs despite being aware of the havoc the rains cause on this segment of the highway.
Many point out that ambulances and school buses face severe challenges every day.
During the dry summer, it was the dust clouds from construction that troubled motorists. With the onset of monsoon, that dust will now turn to dangerous slush and stagnant water, adding another layer of danger to an already hazardous ride.
“Even walking along this road is risky, let alone riding a bike. We understand development takes time, but there has to be a way to balance construction and commuter safety,” said Jennifer D’Souza, a Porvorim resident.
Though construction on the elevated corridor had briefly stalled on the Sangolda junction side following a mishap last month, work has been going on at the Porvorim side and is said to be progressing in full swing.
According to NH authorities, the project is expected to be completed by April-May 2026.
Until then, the reality remains grim for those navigating this route daily.
While the future may hold smoother rides and better connectivity, for now, the road through Sangolda and Porvorim remains a treacherous path – and a reminder of how infrastructure development often comes at the cost of public convenience.
