Commuters hope for smoother ride this monsoon
MAPUSA
After a monsoon last year marked by cratered roads, pothole-ridden stretches and mounting public outrage, the Public Works Department (PWD) has this year undertaken an extensive hotmixing and road repair drive across Goa, raising hopes of a far smoother and safer commute during the upcoming rainy season.
From highways and service roads to internal roads in towns and villages, large-scale repair works have been carried out across the State over the last few months, with officials claiming that the condition of roads this year is “significantly better” compared to the previous monsoon.
Last year, several roads across Goa had turned virtually unmotorable due to deep potholes, broken surfaces and damaged stretches caused by incessant rains as well as ongoing utility works, including underground power cabling, water pipeline laying and telecom infrastructure projects.
This year, however, the PWD intensified hotmixing works well before the onset of the monsoon, particularly in North Goa, where a larger number of roads have reportedly been resurfaced.
“Compared to last year, the pace of hotmixing and road repairs has been much better this time. Several roads across the State have been taken up, and commuters should experience much improved road conditions during the monsoon,” a senior PWD engineer said.
Officials admitted that the department faced challenges due to a shortage of asphalt and a sharp increase in material prices, but maintained that works continued on priority stretches.
“Some roads in Porvorim, Mapusa and Pernem could not be completed because of sudden pre-monsoon showers and a shortage of asphalt, but overall, the condition of roads this year will be much better,” another engineer stated.
The service roads along the NH-66 corridor, where elevated highway construction is underway, have also been hotmixed in several stretches.
Last year, these roads had drawn widespread criticism from motorists due to slush, potholes and severe traffic bottlenecks during the rains.
PWD sources said the department pushed road works “on a war footing” over the past few months.
Political observers also point out that the intensified repair drive comes ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled in the State within the next eight to nine months.
Motorists in many parts of Goa have already reported noticeable improvement in road conditions compared to last year, though concerns remain over whether the repaired stretches will withstand heavy monsoon showers.
Citizens have also urged authorities to ensure better coordination between government departments so that freshly repaired roads are not dug up again for utility works soon after resurfacing.
With the monsoon expected to intensify in the coming weeks, the durability of the newly repaired roads will now face the real test.
