MAPUSA
The roads in Mapusa are in terrible condition due to ongoing underground power cabling work which has caused a lot of inconvenience for both the motorists and pedestrians in the city.
The contractor responsible for laying the cables has failed to repair the roads, leaving them in a dangerous state.
The main arterial roads and internal streets have been dug up to accommodate high-tension electricity cables, creating numerous problems for motorists. Uneven patches and trenches have made driving challenging and unpleasant.
“Most of the roads have been dug up, creating a mess in the city. Everywhere, we have to slow down our vehicles to avoid the jerks created by the trenches,” said Minal Pawar, a motorcycle rider in Mapusa, expressing frustration at the unorganised work.
Residents, such as Nimisha Naik, acknowledged the importance of underground cabling but believe that the work could have been organised better.
“The road repair work could be taken up immediately after laying the cables instead of keeping them in limbo. Soon after completing a stretch, the road patch-up work can be taken up to avoid inconvenience to the public,” Naik said.
The digging work has impacted various areas, including the state highway and roads leading to important places like the North Goa District Hospital.
This situation has made it risky for schoolchildren and senior citizens to navigate through the damaged roads.
The Mapusa market has been severely affected by the digging work. With both high and low-tension power lines being shifted underground, almost all the roads in the market have been dug up, leaving them in a terrible state. This has made shopping difficult and perilous for residents and visitors.
“The muddy stretches of the municipal market which have been dug up to lay the power cables have left no walking space for people. Recently, when I was on an errand in the market, I almost slipped and fell on one of the roads. The authorities concerned should get these muddy stretches tarred at the earliest to save lives,” said Aureo Da Cunha Gomes, a resident of Mapusa, highlighting the hazardous conditions in the market.
Recently, the concerned residents of Mapusa urged the authorities to address the issues promptly to ensure the safety and convenience of everyone in the city.
Double trouble as work leaves broken water pipelines
The ongoing underground power cabling work in Mapusa has not only left the roads in disarray but has also caused disruptions to the water pipeline network across the city.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been inundated with complaints about broken water pipelines attributed to the ongoing underground cabling work.
Engineers from the PWD expressed frustration over the situation. “The individuals involved in the underground cabling work have damaged the water pipelines in numerous locations. We are constantly addressing complaints about damaged pipelines. Unfortunately, we bear the brunt of public frustration even though others are responsible for the damage,” stated a PWD engineer.
While acknowledging that the contractor responsible for the underground cabling does repair the pipelines in some instances, the engineer criticised their workmanship, citing instances of substandard repairs.
The dual impact of disrupted roads and damaged water pipelines has heightened concerns among Mapusa residents, who are calling for swift and effective measures to rectify the situation and ensure the smooth functioning of essential infrastructure.
PWD not to repair market roads
The Public Works Department (PWD), Roads Division, has announced its decision to focus solely on patch-up work for roads affected by underground cabling in Mapusa. However, the municipal market roads will not be included in this repair initiative.
A PWD official clarified the department's stance, stating, “We will only address patch-up work for the roads impacted by the underground cabling in Mapusa. However, the responsibility for maintenance within the market area falls under the jurisdiction of the civic body.”
This decision comes amidst assurances from the Power Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, who recently pledged to residents that all excavated roads would be restored within eight days.
Dhavlikar engaged with the people of Mapusa as part of the Panchayat Chalo Abhiyan, aiming to address the concerns of the public.
