MAPUSA
A bright day turned gloomy in Bastora as a heavy shower on Tuesday evening led to flooding at the key junction road, causing significant distress among motorists and pedestrians.
The incident evoked memories of last year's monsoon season, when residents faced similar challenges navigating the pothole-ridden roads during heavy rains.
Despite recent repairs and a beautification drive earlier this year, the Public Works Department (PWD) engineers failed to anticipate the flooding problem during the monsoon.
The junction's inundation has once again spotlighted the inadequacies of the area's drainage system.
"The authorities are fooling the people. One heavy shower and the road gets flooded as in the past. We keep on hearing of plans from authorities, but there is no change on the ground," lamented Pravin Gadekar, a local resident. His sentiments were echoed by many who struggled through the flooded roads.
Although the roads had been resurfaced with hotmix and improved cosmetically, the underlying issue of poor drainage was not addressed adequately.
The challenging topography of the area and the alleged unauthorised shops has further complicated efforts to implement effective drainage solutions.
"Nothing has changed," said Gadekar. "We have been hearing about various plans from authorities, but when the rains come, it's the same story every year."
While the nearby underpass remained largely unaffected, commuters at the junction faced significant difficulties negotiating the waterlogged road.
The flooding had a cascading effect, leading to severe traffic congestion.
"There was congestion at the junction due to waterlogging. It seems the PWD engineers have failed to do their job properly," commented a local shopkeeper. His frustration was shared by another shopkeeper who predicted worsening conditions with the forecast of heavier rains.
"This is just the beginning. The state is expected to get heavier spells of rain ahead. We can imagine what the state of affairs will be if the wet spell continues for three to four days," he remarked.
A senior PWD official acknowledged the problem and assured that steps had been taken during the road repair to prevent water stagnation.
"We will have to re-examine the junction to find a permanent solution once and for all," the official said, indicating that further measures would be considered to tackle the recurring issue.
The flooding at Bastora junction underscores the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities in managing the area's infrastructure.
With the monsoon season just beginning, residents remain concerned about the effectiveness of any future interventions and the potential for repeated disruptions.
