PWD attributes waterlogging to ongoing works & heavy rain
MONSOON MAYHEM: A section of the inundated NH-66 near ACDIL School in Porvorim on Wednesday, as heavy rains exposed the incomplete drainage system along the under-construction elevated corridor.
MAPUSA
The pre-monsoon showers brought traffic to a near standstill along the Porvorim stretch of National Highway-66, as rainwater gushed and accumulated on service roads, exposing the inadequacies of the drainage system at the ongoing elevated corridor construction site.
The relentless rain turned the highway into a virtual stream, as the absence of proper drainage meant water remained stagnant on key road sections, severely disrupting the flow of traffic.
“This is becoming a routine issue. Every time it rains, traffic just collapses. The water has nowhere to go. It’s high time the authorities address this before the monsoons hit full force,” said Rajesh Naik, a daily commuter from Mapusa.
The issue has not gone unnoticed. In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa, advocate Moses Pinto had earlier highlighted the precarious conditions along the Porvorim highway stretch, citing safety concerns for both motorists and pedestrians due to the ongoing construction and poor infrastructure.
“In their haste to meet project milestones, the drainage requirements which Porvorim so desperately needs have been overlooked by the contractors,” Pinto said.
When contacted, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (NH Division), Jude Carvalho, acknowledged the situation but attributed the waterlogging to the unusually heavy rainfall on Tuesday.
“Yes, the rainfall intensity was quite high and because the drains are still under construction, the roads couldn’t handle the sudden volume of water,” Carvalho stated.
“However, the drainage works are ongoing, and once completed, they will significantly reduce waterlogging,” he added.
Carvalho further clarified that the construction of permanent service roads is a prerequisite before the drain works can be completed.
“We are working in phases. The permanent service roads must come up first, after which the drains will be connected properly to handle the runoff effectively,” he said.
Residents and road users, however, are demanding quicker action and better planning. “The authorities need to ensure that temporary measures are put in place till the permanent ones are completed. Leaving commuters to suffer every time it rains is unacceptable,” said local resident and activist Anjali Desai.
With the monsoon season just around the corner, citizens are urging the PWD and concerned authorities to expedite the work and implement interim solutions to avoid repeat scenarios.
With the situation remaining the same even on Wednesday, the frustration among motorists was palpable – many fearing that this was just the beginning of a season of delays and disruptions.
