PWD minister vows quick-response repairs, says road users will see change in 2 months
MAPUSA
State’s newest Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat stepped into office on Wednesday with a promise that is bound to catch the attention of every motorist bouncing over potholes: he plans to treat roads the way he once treated power failures.
Kamat, a former chief minister, inherits the PWD portfolio at a time when the State’s road network is drawing flak for its crater-like potholes, dug-up stretches and uneven surfaces – conditions that have triggered memes, jokes and public anger alike.
Drawing a parallel with his earlier innovation of deploying mobile transformers to restore power instantly, Kamat hinted at quick-response measures to tackle road damage.
“When I was power minister, mobile transformers were a novelty. If a transformer failed at night, power was restored immediately without waiting for repairs. The same approach I plan to adopt in PWD,” he said.
“It’s but natural that attending to potholes will be the first short-term priority,” Kamat declared, adding, “People will see the difference within a month or two.”
That’s music to the ears of long-suffering commuters, who have turned the State’s roads into a running joke on social media.
From memes comparing potholes to lunar craters to viral videos of vehicles navigating mini-swimming pools, Goa’s road condition has become both an embarrassment and a symbol of public anger.
Kamat, however, insisted he won’t differentiate between cities and villages.
“Maximum number of people use the roads. So decisions will be taken keeping the public in mind. The worst-hit stretches will be taken up first,” he said.
Clearing overgrown bushes and trimming roadside trees also figure in his plan.
The minister sought some time to take stock of the situation from his engineers but struck a confident note: “Just like we ensured power supply without delay, we’ll ensure road users feel the difference.”
Goa’s monsoon-ravaged roads have been one of the most visible failures of the government in recent months, sparking widespread criticism.
Whether Kamat can apply his “power formula” to deliver road relief remains to be seen – but expectations are already riding high.
