PANAJI
As the condition of most roads in the State deteriorates due to persistent rainfall, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure that all pothole-ridden roads are repaired within the next two days.
Speaking to media, Sawant admitted that the persistent rainfall has worsened the condition of roads, so also delayed the patch-up works. “Have now instructed PWD to fix all potholes within two days,” he said.
The Ganesh festival will begin on August 27, but poor road conditions are causing severe inconvenience to residents, particularly shoppers during the festive season. The hasty patchwork repairs carried out at several spots have already given way under the rains, further compounding the problem.
As reported earlier, PWD Chief Engineer Subhash Belgaonkar recently directed Executive Engineers from Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Bicholim, Ponda and Fatorda divisions to carry out pothole repairs on top priority. He also made it clear that complaints uploaded on the PWD mobile app must be addressed before the Chaturthi.
“The focus is to make roads motorable at the earliest. Executive Engineers must ensure that pothole complaints are attended to without fail,” Belgaonkar’s order stated.
Last week, the Aam Aadmi Party staged a protest against the BJP government, accusing it of negligence and demanding immediate action to restore road safety.
Meanwhile, the North Goa District Collector has further extended a ban on road digging for a period of 15 days with effect from August 24.
The Collector said that any person, agency, organization or department intending to undertake digging of roads will have to obtain prior written permission.
“Digging of all types of roads or a part thereof may pose serious danger to pedestrians, motor vehicles and the public during monsoon due to accumulation of water, skidding on debris, electric shocks due to snapped electric wires, etc,” the Collector said directing that the ongoing digging works need to be completed in timely manner.
