PWD under fire for incomplete drainage work and poor supervision in Mapusa

Residents have raised concerns about the potential for waterlogging due to incomplete drainage work, which could lead to significant issues during the upcoming monsoon season.

The PWD embarked on a project to construct a nearly 100-meter drainage system and install pavers along the stretch, costing Rs 12 lakhs.

The project was initiated in December 2022 by Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza and former Mapusa Chairperson Shubhangi Vaigankar. Despite this, the work only commenced recently, with the contractor having completed only part of the drainage system before beginning to lay pavers across the entire stretch.

Local residents and Mapusa Councillor Sudhir Kandolkar have criticized the PWD for allowing the contractor to proceed with laying pavers without finishing the essential drainage infrastructure.

Their primary concern is the potential for severe waterlogging, which could result in water entering nearby shops during the monsoon.

“The construction of only half of the drain and the attempt to block the cross drain chamber will inevitably cause water clogging during the monsoon. This half-hearted approach will lead to a disaster and a waste of public funds,” said Kandolkar.

In response to the backlash, a PWD official has acknowledged the oversight and agreed to complete the cross drain chamber and the remaining drainage work. The contractor, defending his actions, stated that his assigned task was limited to laying pavers, which he had begun without full completion of the drainage system.

The incident has sparked a debate on the functioning and supervision of the PWD, with residents demanding more stringent oversight to prevent such lapses in future projects.

The situation remains under close scrutiny as the monsoon approaches, with the community hoping for swift and effective resolution to prevent potential flooding.