MARGAO
A joint inspection of the Seraulim road underpass has revealed that water is finding its way into the subway from multiple sources, leaving the motorable road inundated with water even after the monsoons.
As a temporary solution, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been told to install water pumps at the subway to drain out the water to make the best use of the underpass for vehicular traffic at least during the non-monsoon season.
'The Goan' had on Tuesday, November 5 highlighted the sorry state of the Seraulim subway, with the underpass, which was shut down by a notification issued by the district Collector as a temporary measure, having virtually become a permanent feature at the site. A visibly agitated Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has termed the Seraulim road underpass a failed project, saying no proper technical study was conducted.
Besides PWD senior officials, Seraulim sarpanch Seema Shanke, deputy sarpanch Leslie Dourado, local residents, and the local MLA, the joint inspection was conducted to determine how to make use of the road underpass, as the frequency of the trains running on the Konkan Railway track brings traffic to a halt due to the closure of the Seraulim railway crossing.
It has been decided to also involve the Konkan Railway as well as the Water Resources department to make the subway motorable.
“I have inherited this issue in the constituency. This is a failed project. It is now apparent that the project was not technically designed. Leave alone the monsoons, the underpass cannot be used by vehicles during the non-monsoon period because of waterlogging,” Venzy said.
The Benaulim MLA said he would again raise the issue in the ensuing session of the Goa Legislative Assembly to demand a flyover at the Seraulim railway crossing.
“I think a permanent solution will come only if there is a flyover. But, since public money has gone into the construction of the Seraulim road underpass, we have to put it to use at least during the non-monsoon period, from November to May,” Venzy said.
After the discussions, the PWD team comprising Executive Engineer Savio Gomes and Assistant Engineer Nestle Fernandes were told to install pumps at the underpass to drain out the water from the subway. The PWD is expected to mobilise the machinery by Wednesday so that the work can start at the subway from Friday.
Substantiating his statement that the study conducted by the agencies before the construction of the underpass was a failure, Venzy said the topography of the area showed that the fields in the area are located on a higher side, facilitating the flow of water into the subway, leaving it waterlogged.
“Since government is a continuous process, I am doing my best to put the subway to effective use. We have to try all measures. A flyover will be an ideal and permanent solution,” he said.
