MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured on Friday that there will be no bad roads in the State from next year, as the Public Works Department (PWD) gears up to implement a Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to monitor and maintain roads.
This new system aims to streamline road maintenance and ensure better coordination between departments.
Sawant revealed that a local startup has been brought on board to install the GIS technology, which will enable the PWD to computerise road network maintenance across the State.
"We already have data on the roads, but this system will also collate information from other departments like electricity, Water Resources Department (WRD), and sewerage to ensure proper coordination before any roadwork is undertaken," said Sawant.
GIS, a computerised system capable of storing and displaying geographically referenced data, will allow the PWD to create road maintenance plans based on real-time, computer-driven data.
This will expedite the process of road repairs and upkeep, as essential information will be accessible with just a click, according to a senior PWD official.
In addition to the GIS rollout, Sawant announced that a new agency has been contracted to monitor any engineering or technical defects in road construction.
"In the future, notices will be issued to various departments one month before any road construction or hotmixing begins. This will give them time to complete any necessary work on the stretch before the roadwork starts," he explained.
The Chief Minister also outlined a stricter policy to prevent unnecessary road damage. Once roadwork is completed, no department will be allowed to cut the road for the next three years.
"If anyone needs to cut the road for any reason, they must do it within the designated one-month period. If they fail to inform the department and cut the road without permission, they will face hefty fines running into lakhs," Sawant warned.
To further streamline infrastructure development, the PWD will also ensure that proper ducts are maintained along roads for utility services, reducing the need for future road cuts.
“This is a system that should have been implemented years ago. For the past 20 years, no proper system has been in place, which is why we have so many issues. From now on, everything will be streamlined,” Sawant said, assuring that the new measures will lead to long-term improvements.
“From next year, we won’t see any bad roads in the state,” the Chief Minister affirmed, promising significant improvements in Goa's road network and maintenance practices.
