MAPUSA
The tragic death of a 45-year-old woman from Parra in a road accident on the Parra-Mapusa stretch has once again highlighted the crumbling state of Goa’s roads during the monsoon.
The accident, reportedly caused due to the bumpy and broken road surface, is among the many similar incidents that continue to plague the State year after year as road conditions deteriorate with the rains.
Even though the current monsoon has brought fewer heavy spells compared to previous years, several roads across Goa lie in a battered state, making commuting a daily challenge for motorists and pedestrians alike.
From water-filled potholes to roads dug up for utility works and left unrepaired, the picture is grim.
Much of the damage, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, is the result of excavation for underground power cabling, water pipelines and other services. However, the failure of departments to coordinate and ensure timely restoration of roads before the rains has worsened the situation.
“There is absolutely no planning or accountability. Every year the roads are dug up in April and May, and we are told they will be repaired before the monsoon. But the rains come and go and the potholes remain,” said Rosterio D’Souza, a resident of Saligao.
State-wide pothole problem
In North Goa, major stretches like the key Saligao roads, the Siolim-Chopdem bypass and NH-66 near Porvorim have developed large potholes and uneven surfaces. Several commuters have reported damage to vehicles and near-misses due to poor visibility of submerged potholes.
In South Goa, the Navelim bypass, Chandor-Curchorem road and roads leading to Sanguem and Quepem have seen worsening conditions over the past fortnight. Heavy rains last week have further eroded the temporary patchwork done by local authorities.
“Driving from Navelim to Margao is a nightmare. I recently burst a tyre after hitting a deep pothole near the sewage treatment plant,” said Reema Naik, a two-wheeler rider on a social media post.
Fed up with inaction, citizens’ groups have taken to the streets. Several citizens have also taken to social media to criticize the local MLAs and the authorities for failing to get their act together and demanding immediate repairs.
Opposition party functionaries have also submitted memoranda to the PWD, warning of larger agitations if the situation persists.
When contacted, a senior Public Works Department official admitted that delayed coordination with utility service agencies was one of the main reasons behind the poor state of roads.
“Work was undertaken to lay underground cables and water pipelines in several locations. Unfortunately, the restoration timelines could not be met due to extended technical delays. We are currently undertaking emergency patchwork and repair all major roads,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
No action plan in place
Despite repeated assurances, there is still no structured action plan to ensure road repairs are completed before the monsoon sets in.
April-May, the critical pre-monsoon window, continues to be wasted without a clear statewide roadmap.
Urban local bodies – including panchayats, municipalities and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) – have also been criticised for failing to take responsibility for internal roads in their jurisdictions.
“It’s not rocket science. If each department took timely action and coordinated, most of this inconvenience could be avoided. But every year, people have to protest just to get basic infrastructure,” said activist Sanjay Barde.
For many Goans, the monsoon is not just a season of rain, but one of danger and distress due to the state of roads. The absence of long-term planning and the lack of will to enforce accountability among contractors and utility agencies continue to leave citizens frustrated and exposed to risk.
Until a permanent solution is put in place, potholes and patchwork will continue to dominate Goa’s monsoon landscape – and more tragedies like the one in Parra may just be waiting to happen.
