MAPUSA
In a glaring example of official apathy, a gaping pothole on a key district road at Duler, Mapusa, went unattended for days despite repeated complaints, forcing concerned citizens to take matters into their own hands and repair the hazard themselves.
The large pothole, located in the middle of the busy road leading to the Duler football stadium, posed a serious threat to motorists “ especially two-wheeler riders “ more so during the ongoing monsoon, when visibility is poor and road conditions worsen.
Despite the evident danger and a public outcry, neither the Public Works Department (PWD) nor the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) took action.
Local activist Shekar Naik had raised the issue nearly four days ago, warning of the risks and urging authorities to respond swiftly. His concerns, however, fell on deaf ears.
“Authorities concerned have become so lethargic that nothing stirs them into action. We’ve been consistently highlighting public safety issues in the hope that officials will respond, but sadly, there’s no accountability,” Naik said.
With no response from the authorities, the owner of a local café along with concerned citizens, stepped in and personally took the initiative to cement and fill the pothole, bringing much-needed relief to commuters.
The citizen-led intervention has been lauded by local residents, but also raises serious questions about the lack of responsiveness and responsibility among government agencies tasked with maintaining public infrastructure.
Residents are now demanding greater accountability and faster response from the PWD and municipal authorities to prevent such situations in the future “ especially when lives are at stake.
