MAPUSA
A recurring pothole caused by an improperly placed sewerage chamber in the middle of the road at Dolphin Circle, Calangute, has become a source of frustration for motorists and pedestrians.
The pothole, located near St Alex Church, has made navigating the key junction difficult, raising concerns about road safety in this prime tourist destination.
The Dolphin Circle junction serves as a vital access point to Calangute, a popular beach village and witnesses heavy traffic daily.
The deep pothole has worsened the situation, with locals voicing their dissatisfaction over the poor maintenance of the road.
Many residents have expressed anger, pointing out that the pothole reappears in the same spot every monsoon season, making it a persistent problem for the community.
The issue is exacerbated during the monsoons when water gushes out of the sewerage chamber, leading to the formation of the pothole.
Overflowing water from the chamber spills onto the road, creating a mess in front of St Alex Church and causing inconvenience to parishioners attending services.
In response to the dangerous road conditions, traffic police have placed a barrier in front of the pothole to warn motorists. However, locals believe that a more permanent solution is necessary.
Concerned citizen Tanoj Adwalpalkar staged an impromptu protest at the site, hoping to draw attention to the issue.
He urged the Calangute panchayat and the local MLA to prioritize the road's repair, especially with the tourist season approaching.
"This is a busy road in a prime tourist destination. The authorities need to act quickly before it gets worse," said Adwalpalkar.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira had also expressed frustration with the recurring pothole, blaming the engineers for failing to address the issue effectively.
Assistant Engineer Maheshwar Opkar of the Public Works Department (PWD), Sewerage Division, assured that the department has taken note of the problem. He confirmed that steps were already initiated to repair the road and prevent further inconvenience.
As the tourist season nears, residents and business owners in Calangute are hoping for swift repairs to avoid further disruptions in the busy beach village.
