PANAJI: The South Goa District Magistrate has extended the ban on road-cutting, excavation and digging activities across the district during the monsoon season, with the restriction now remaining in force until October 5, 2026, unless withdrawn earlier.
The order issued yesterday by South Goa Collector and District Magistrate Egna Cleetus said the restriction has been extended in the interest of public safety, maintenance of public order and protection of road infrastructure. Road excavation and cutting during the monsoon can affect road safety, obstruct vehicular movement, hamper emergency services and weaken road infrastructure, potentially posing risks to life and property.
However, the order said, exemptions may be granted on a case-to-case basis for situations involving grave public inconvenience, public safety, emergency restoration of essential services such as water supply, sewerage, electricity, telecommunications and gas pipelines, or other unforeseen emergencies.
Such requests will first have to be submitted to the Principal Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), the designated Single Nodal Authority. The PWD will scrutinise the proposals and forward only those cases considered genuinely emergent and unavoidable, along with specific recommendations and justification, to the District Magistrate for consideration.
The order also directs police officers of the rank of Sub-Inspector and above, Executive Magistrates, Deputy Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates to ensure strict enforcement.
Deputy Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates have been authorised to verify violations, conduct inspections, lodge complaints, register FIRs through the concerned police stations and initiate necessary legal proceedings.
Any person, agency or organisation found violating the order may face prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with other applicable provisions of law.
