MAPUSA
In a significant development for both residents and commuters, the Public Works Department (PWD) has commenced the much-anticipated widening and improvement work on the stretch of the main road from Gandhi Chowk to Bodgeshwar temple in Mapusa.
The half-kilometre-long stretch, which leads to major beach destinations like Calangute and Anjuna, as well as key villages such as Verla-Canca, Parra and Arpora-Nagao, will undergo a major transformation with an estimated budget of Rs 8 crore.
The project aims to ensure smoother traffic flow and enhanced pedestrian safety on the 520-metre-long road. The long-delayed road widening is expected to provide significant relief to motorists and pedestrians once completed.
Presently, the construction work is focused on widening the road on the left-hand side, which involves building embankments and drains.
The project includes a complete four-lane expansion with a central median and footpaths on both sides of the road.
PWD officials confirmed that the project will also require the demolition and reconstruction of two culverts, one of which is a major structure. In addition, three to four water pipelines along the route will need to be relocated to facilitate the widening.
The road widening and beautification project was officially inaugurated by Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, along with Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Nutan Bicholkar and other local council members.
A PWD official mentioned that the project is expected to take at least six months to complete due to the complexities involved, such as shifting major pipelines and constructing culverts.
While the road stretch from Bodgeshwar Temple (Canca) to Parra and beyond has already been widened and equipped with footpaths, the Mapusa-side stretch had been delayed due to a court dispute over land acquisition initiated by one of the tenants in the area. Once completed, the road widening will greatly enhance the commuting experience in Mapusa, providing significant benefits for both local residents and visitors to the area.
Bad road stretch causes hardship
MAPUSA: The particular road stretch from Gandhi Chowk to Bodgeshwar Temple which has long been in a state of disrepair, continues to cause significant trouble for motorists.
The road, already narrow, is in very poor condition, making it a challenging route for vehicles, especially two-wheelers. Motorists are enduring a harrowing experience, with uneven surfaces and jerky rides, particularly affecting two-wheeler riders. While the Public Works Department (PWD) recently carried out temporary patch-up work on the road, the repairs have proven inadequate and far from satisfactory.
In several areas, the patchwork has been either poorly executed or left incomplete, leaving sections of the road still in dire need of attention. The uneven surface of the road, peppered with multiple small potholes, continues to pose a major hazard.
