the goan I network
MARGAO
Where’s the Dr Road, the mobile pothole removal vehicle inaugurated by PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar over a fortnight ago to fix the problem of potholes on the damaged roads? This question has come to the fore as the PWD, National Highway contractor is yet to remove the potholes around the MMC square, exposing two-wheeler riders to accidents.
The PWD Minister had earlier this month launched the mobile pothole removing vehicle designed by a Canacona-based road contractor, Deepak Desai at Nuvem with much fanfare, promising that the vehicle, nicknamed ‘Dr Road’ would be an answer to the problem of potholes across the state.
While the PWD Minister’s statement had raised hopes by saying that even contractors can avail the vehicle by making the payments at government rates, Dr Road is yet to descend on the Margao roads, more so around the MMC square, which is dotted with potholes.
It could also not be gathered whether the road contractor would avail the vehicle or would use the conventional mode of removing potholes with cold or hot tar. For, when The Goan contacted vehicle owner Desai to shed light on the delay in removing the potholes around MMC square, he said he has not been approached by any contractor or agency to take up the work, and that his vehicle was presently removing potholes in the Curtorim area.
When The Goan contacted, PWD, National Highway Executive Engineer, Laxmikant Naik to explain the delay, he said the work would start in a day or two. “The highway contractor has started work of removing potholes from the Navelim side,” he said, adding that work on the Margao stretch of the road would start immediately.
The EE however said it would take some time for the contractor to hot mix the damaged road as conditions were still not conducive to laying hot mix carpets on the roads.
Meanwhile, motorists, especially, two-wheeler riders have to undergo the ordeal of riding on the potholed roads, particularly along the National Highway, passing through the city.
