ROAD TO RUIN: The main road near Alankar Theatre in Angod, Mapusa is plagued with potholes and uneven surfaces, making travel a nightmare for both motorists and locals. Captured by : Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
The arrival of the monsoon has once again exposed the sorry state of road infrastructure in Mapusa, with residents of Angod ward bearing the brunt of shoddy patchwork and neglected repairs.
The roads, already battered due to repeated digging for utility upgrades, have become virtually unmotorable, sparking public outrage and raising questions over the lack of preparedness by authorities.
A visit to the Angod area paints a grim picture “ broken surfaces, large pothole and stretches of sunken tar now dominate what was once a key 1-kilometre road connecting Mapusa Church to the inner parts of the town.
This main road, heavily used by schoolchildren, two-wheelers and private vehicles has become a daily hazard for commuters.
The road was first dug up to shift the overhead electricity lines underground, both the 33KV high tension and 11KV low tension cables and later they dug it again for water pipeline work.
The multiple rounds of excavation have taken a severe toll on the road surface. While some patches have received temporary fixes, much of the road remains in poor condition. In some sections, the road stretch has sunk in while deep potholes in others pose a danger to motorists.
“I’ve personally witnessed two-wheeler riders skid and fall. Just last week, a mother and her school-going child fell while navigating one of the potholes,” said Anita Naik, a long-time resident.
Residents claim that no substantial restoration work has been carried out. Many accuse the authorities of failing to plan ahead and ignoring the urgency of road repairs, especially before the monsoon.
“At the very least, the authorities should have carried out some patchwork to restore the main road leading to the church. It’s a crucial link that’s used daily by many residents,” said Peter D’Sa, another local from the area.
Local MLA Joshua D’Souza had assured residents that patchwork on the Angod roads would be carried out, but the early arrival of the monsoon disrupted those plans, leaving residents and motorists to cope with worsening road conditions.
With two more months of heavy rain forecast, the situation is expected to worsen.
Locals are now calling on the authorities to prioritise at least the main road leading to Mapusa Church for emergency repair to prevent further accidents and inconvenience.
