MAPUSA
In preparation for the upcoming monsoon season, extensive pre-monsoon maintenance work has commenced along National Highway 66 (NH-66) and various state highways.
A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) of National Highway (NH) has confirmed that contractors involved in the highway expansion are responsible for the maintenance and repair works, including essential pre-monsoon activities.
“Under the concept of defects liability period, the contractor is obligated to carry out maintenance of the road constructed by him for four years and rectify any deficiencies noticed during this period,” stated the official.
While the newly expanded sections of NH-66, stretching from Pernem to Karaswada and from Karaswada to Bambolim, have been contracted to MVR Infra Pvt Ltd, the segment from Bambolim to Zuari has been assigned to Dilip Buildcom.
Early Wednesday morning, workers were observed sweeping the flyover at Bastora as part of the pre-monsoon efforts.
“Similar maintenance and repair work will be carried out along the entire NH-66 stretch,” the PWD official told The Goan.
Efforts are currently focused on identifying various highway distress issues such as depressions, rutting, and cracking, with plans in place for rectification measures.
Last year, several sections of NH-66, particularly the flyovers, experienced water logging, hindering smooth traffic movement during heavy rains.
This year, ongoing construction of a drain across the highway at the Guirim-Porvorim border and work on the elevated corridor could cause some inconvenience to motorists.
Simultaneously, the State PWD is prioritising the clearance of potholes along major district roads (MDRs) before the monsoon. “We take up cleaning of drains, but the focus is to eliminate the potholes and patch up the dug-up roads,” explained a senior PWD engineer.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by numerous road excavations for laying various utility ducts such as power and gas.
