Chambers built at Vasco turns into hazard

THE GOAN NETWORK

VASCO

Cutting of the road and construction of chambers along the Swantantra Path road and footpath at Vasco is causing hindrance to vehicles and pedestrians alike.

The road along the footpath of Swantantra Path from St Andrew Church junction up to the IOC junction was cut to lay some cables and construct chambers and later filled with some material. The agency involved also cut the footpath by removing inter-locking tiles and constructed chambers and left the area without properly replacing the tiles.

Some chambers that are causing hindrance are near the tourist hostel, near railway station and in front of ATM of Bank of India Vasco.

Speaking to The Goan, Santan D’Souza of Driver-Hill, Vasco, said the uneven footpath and construction of the chamber has become a death trap and the municipal council has failed to direct the agency concerned to replace the inter-locking tiles and get back the footpath to its original condition.

“If a pedestrian stumbles against the uneven footpath and the edge of the chamber, the person will be injured,” said D’Souza.

A footpath vendor, who sells lotteries, said a few days back a lady stumbled on the edge of the chamber, but her fall was controlled by her friend who was accompanying her. “I see many such incidents where people in a hurry stumble and fall but had to go quietly as they know it is useless to complain.”

When the footpath issue was brought to the notice of Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer Deepali Naik, she said someone has approached the court against the agency for cutting the road. “The matter is sub-judice and if we do anything now, the matter will go in favour of the agency responsible for the mess,” said Deepali.

When asked whether she was waiting for a fatal accident to take place near the BOI ATM and then initiate action, Deepali summoned the MMC inspector and directed him to inspect the site.