MAPUSA
An erratic monsoon coupled with extensive pre-monsoon road repairs has resulted in an unusual but welcome development this rainy season — significantly fewer potholes on roads across Goa and a sharp decline in complaints from commuters and motorists.
Unlike last year's monsoon, when damaged roads and water-filled craters had triggered widespread public outrage and criticism of the Public Works Department (PWD), this season has witnessed comparatively smoother road conditions across several parts of the State.
PWD officials attribute the improvement primarily to the extensive hotmixing and road restoration works undertaken before the onset of the monsoon, along with the timely filling of utility trenches dug by various departments.
"We had completed hotmixing on a large number of roads before the rains began. Wherever trenches had been dug by the Electricity Department and other agencies for utility works, they were properly filled and soling was carried out before the monsoon. This has made a significant difference, and there have been very few complaints from commuters this season," a senior PWD official told The Goan.
The official also acknowledged that the absence of prolonged spells of intense rainfall has played an equally important role in preventing widespread road damage.
"The rainfall has been uneven this year and there have been fewer instances of continuous heavy downpours. That has certainly helped in reducing the formation of potholes," the official said.
Last year, several key roads across Goa had deteriorated rapidly during the monsoon. Major stretches such as the Saligao road network, the Siolim-Chopdem bypass and portions of National Highway-66 near Porvorim had developed large potholes and uneven surfaces, drawing severe criticism from road users.
Another major trouble spot was the busy stretch beneath the Panaji flyover leading towards the Merces junction, where waterlogged potholes had become a daily hazard for motorists.
This year, however, the situation has improved considerably.
Several important roads in Saligao and across the Siolim constituency have been resurfaced with fresh hotmix, while many internal roads in Mapusa have also been repaired, providing much-needed relief to residents and daily commuters.
Motorists have also benefited from improved riding conditions on the service roads along NH-66 at Porvorim, where the elevated corridor project is currently under construction. Although a few diversions remain in place because of the ongoing work, most service roads have been resurfaced, making travel through the busy corridor considerably smoother than during the previous monsoon.
Officials said the department had adopted a preventive approach this year by prioritising vulnerable stretches and completing repairs before the arrival of the rains, instead of carrying out emergency patchwork after roads were damaged.
The improvement has also coincided with the run-up to the Assembly elections, with several legislators ensuring that road resurfacing and maintenance works in their constituencies were completed before the monsoon.
With the State still in the midst of the rainy season, officials remain cautious, noting that sustained heavy rainfall in the coming weeks could still affect road conditions.
However, the department believes that the pre-monsoon maintenance drive has substantially strengthened road surfaces and reduced the likelihood of widespread pothole formation.
