MAPUSA
Just two days after the Public Works Department (PWD) enforced a ban on road digging effective from May 15, multiple complaints have been filed at various police stations against government bodies and private agencies for flouting the directive.
Among those named in the complaints are the Electricity Department, Indian Oil Adani Gas Pvt Ltd (IOAGPL) and the Santa Cruz panchayat.
PWD officials have alleged that these entities carried out unauthorised road excavation work despite the official ban.
PWD Assistant Engineer from Work Division VI lodged two formal complaints at the Fatorda Police Station against the electricity department and IOAGPL. The AE stated that the Electricity Department has continued horizontal directional drilling (HDD) on State Highway 5 (SH-5) in Fatorda to lay underground cables, in violation of the ban.
“This activity is in direct violation of the prevailing government order. The ongoing digging poses a serious risk to public safety and it has not been authorised by this office,” the complaint reads.
Another complaint was filed against IOAGPL for continuing excavation along the Madel-Fatorda road to lay gas pipelines. According to the complaint, the agency proceeded with the digging work despite repeated oral instructions to halt operations.
Fatorda Police Inspector Nathan Almeida confirmed receipt of the complaints but said that no FIRs have been registered yet.
“We are looking into the matter,” he stated.
In a separate incident, a PWD Junior Engineer from Work Division II, Patto, filed a complaint against the Santa Cruz panchayat for carrying out road cutting operations despite the ban.
Similarly, the PWD Assistant Engineer from Work Division VII-NH has reported unauthorised road digging by the electricity department along the Ribandar bypass in Old Goa.
Old Goa PI Satish Padwalkar confirmed that complaints have been received and investigations are underway.
PWD officials said they have been instructed that any emergency excavation work must have prior permission from the Collector.
For ongoing projects, agencies are required to complete service installation and backfill the dug-up areas in accordance with their No Objection Certificate (NOC) conditions. However, further excavation is strictly prohibited.
The department has reiterated that failure to comply with the ban not only violates government orders but also poses risks to public safety and infrastructure integrity.
