After months of public inconvenience caused by dug-up stretches left unrepaired following underground power cabling works, the long-awaited hotmixing of Anjuna’s main road network has finally begun.
The project, costing Rs 6 crore, was formally inaugurated on Thursday by Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, in the presence of Anjuna Sarpanch Surendra Govekar, panchayat members and officials.
The hotmixing will cover the road from DMC College, Assagao, passing St Michael Church, up to the Anjuna petrol pump, as well as the busy stretch leading to the beach.
These roads, crucial for both locals and tourists, had deteriorated severely over the past year, leading to traffic snarls and frequent complaints from motorists and residents.
Speaking at the inauguration, Lobo said the work had been prioritised keeping in mind the high traffic volume and tourism activity in the area.
“These roads are the lifeline of Anjuna. I assured the people that the work would start immediately after the monsoon, and I’m happy the process has now begun,” she said.
She added that internal village roads would also be hotmixed in a phased manner.
“Meanwhile, the contractor has been instructed to fill potholes on all remaining internal roads so that residents don’t face further inconvenience,” she noted.
Sarpanch Govekar explained that the monsoon, which remained active until late October, had delayed the project.
“The panchayat was ready, but weather conditions prevented us from starting earlier. We thank our MLA for consistently following up with the department and getting the work sanctioned on priority,” he said.
Former sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar, panch member Dinesh Patil, other panchayat representatives and electricity department officials were also present at the event.
The project is expected to significantly improve road safety and traffic flow ahead of the tourist season.
