the goan I network
VASCO
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar may have assured in the Assembly that all potholed roads would be repaired before Ganesh Chaturthi, but authorities appear divided over jurisdiction of roads in the port town.
Several residents and activists have demanded that the PWD repairs potholes on top priority along the road leading towards Chicalim, especially near Vaddem Lake, as the route would be largely used to bring Ganesh Idols and during Ganesh Visarjan at the beautified Vaddem Lake.
Despite several leaders from the ruling and opposition raising concerns over huge potholes along the roads in Vasco, nothing much has been done.
While the PWD has taken up some minor patching of the roads like the F L Gomes road, most potholes have resurfaced after rains washed away the mud used to cover potholes on a temporary basis.
Several accidents have been reported because of huge potholes along many roads and some of the most affected areas are the road leading to Baina (IOC Junction, Desterro School), the road leading to Chicalim (Near Vaddem Lake) and the F L Gomes road.
When contacted, a PWD official said works on potholes had been carried out on the F L Gomes road and works on other areas would also be carried out soon. The official, however, said the main roads leading to and from Vasco were under a different jurisdiction, making it difficult to carry out works on different roads simultaneously.
“We have received several complains about potholes along the Vaddem Lake but to be honest, the roads in Vasco are lying under different jurisdictions. The PWD has only F L Gomes road and internal roads in Vasco.”
“The main road leading to and from Vasco via Vaddem comes under the National Highways department. Even the Swatantra Path comes under the Highway jurisdiction and hence PWD cannot patch up roads and potholes near Vaddem lake.”
“Thirdly, a portion of the road in Baina near Desterro Church and school is coming under the GSIDC. This makes it difficult to patch roads and cover potholes simultaneously,” said the official.
When contacted, a highway roads department official said the department would take up works on potholes along the road leading to Chicalim on a war footing, especially considering the fast approaching Ganesh Chaturthi.
