MAPUSA
As the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the Electricity Department continue their development works in the Guirim area, serious concerns are emerging over the unsafe conditions caused by the haphazard transportation and dumping of mud along the fields bordering the service road leading to NH-66.
With mud spilling over onto key stretches of the key service road and the highway, especially near the Bastora junction, residents and commuters say the area has become a nightmare “ particularly for two-wheeler riders.
The problem has been compounded by the rains, which have turned the stretch into a slushy, slippery trap.
“It becomes unmanageable when it rains. The mud spreads all over the road, and there is no grip left for scooters or bikes. We are literally risking our lives each time we pass this road,” said Bastora resident and daily commuter, Rohan Naik.
A spot inspection on Monday revealed that truckloads of mud were being ferried through the service road without adequate safety measures. Several vehicles were seen swerving dangerously, trying to avoid patches of thick mud.
Locals raise alarm
Residents of Bastora and Guirim, who rely heavily on this route to access Mapusa and Panaji, say they are bearing the brunt of the negligence.
“The elevated corridor work has already been a major cause of inconvenience, but this is worse. What’s the point of development if it comes at the cost of safety?” asked Celina Ferns, a resident of Guirim.
Local activist Shekar Naik, who has been vocal about the state of infrastructure in Bardez, said, “This is the same spot where a government official tragically lost his life recently after a two-wheeler accident involving a bus. How many more lives need to be lost before action is taken?”
Official apathy?
When contacted, an official from the WRD, who did not wish to be named, admitted that the situation was not ideal.
“The movement of trucks carrying excavated silt and mud is being monitored, but some lapses have occurred. We are coordinating with the contractors to ensure mud does not spill onto the main carriageway,” the official said.
Despite repeated appeals, neither the traffic cell nor the local police have intervened to ensure proper regulation of construction-related movement in the area.
Pressure on authorities
In light of the growing backlash, the local panchayat has also taken note.
“We have written to the WRD and the electricity department seeking permissions for the work they are undertaking. The situation on the road is dangerous and we want to ensure the matter is addressed on a priority. Public safety must come first,” said Guirim Sarpanch Shubam Desai.
Meanwhile, the North Goa Collectorate has issued a general advisory to agencies undertaking infrastructure work during the monsoon season.
Whether that advisory translates into concrete action on the ground at Bastora-Guirim remains to be seen.
