MARGAO
The Seraulim railway underpass has once again come under the spotlight, with motorists facing a double challenge during the ongoing monsoon. While persistent waterlogging continues to plague the subway every rainy season, commuters are now raising alarm over deep craters that have developed on the road surface, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Regular users of the underpass have complained that navigating through the subway has become increasingly hazardous, especially when rainwater accumulates and conceals the damaged stretches of the road. The submerged craters make it difficult for motorists to judge the road conditions, often forcing them to take dangerous chances while crossing the underpass.
What has drawn criticism is the fact that no lasting solution has been found to address the chronic problem of waterlogging, despite several inspections carried out over the years. Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Konkan Railway Corporation have jointly inspected the underpass on multiple occasions, but the recurring issue remains unresolved nearly five years after the subway was commissioned.
Social activist Santan Pereira has strongly criticised the authorities for what he described as their continued neglect of the underpass and failure to ensure the safety of commuters. “What we have found is that there have been several inspections of the underpass since it was commissioned around five years ago. It is indeed surprising that the authorities have still not been able to find a permanent solution to the problem of waterlogging inside the subway during the monsoon,” Pereira said.
He also questioned the PWD over its failure to repair the severely damaged road surface inside the underpass. “These are not ordinary potholes but huge craters. When the subway is filled with rainwater, motorists have no idea where these craters are, putting them at serious risk of accidents. Recently, a woman rider met with an accident inside the subway after encountering one of these damaged patches,” he said.
Pereira said the condition of the underpass reflects a lack of coordination between the agencies responsible for its maintenance. “We have only heard leaders and officials passing the blame for the present state of the subway. The time has come to address this issue once and for all. Both the PWD and the Konkan Railway Corporation should jointly take up the matter and evolve a long-term solution instead of resorting to temporary measures every monsoon,” he added.
Pointing out that public money had been spent on constructing the underpass, Pereira said taxpayers deserve infrastructure that is safe and functional throughout the year. “The underpass was built with taxpayers’ money to improve connectivity and ease traffic movement. It should not become a hazard every monsoon. The authorities must act without further delay before another serious accident occurs,” he said.
Motorists have urged the authorities to immediately repair the damaged road surface and implement a permanent drainage solution to prevent recurring waterlogging, warning that continued inaction could lead to more accidents and inconvenience during the rainy season.
