MAPUSA
While Goa’s roads are the lifelines of the State, connecting villages, towns and cities through its dense network of State and National highways, maintaining them continues to be a daunting task for the Public Works Department (PWD).
Despite large allocations, the granular data on maintenance expenses remain elusive, buried under broad budget heads. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Goa government earmarked a massive Rs 1,200 crore under various Public Works Department (PWD) heads, primarily aimed at the restoration of roads dug up or damaged by various utility works and natural wear and tear.
However, officials admit that it is difficult to pin down how much of this is spent solely on maintenance. “Budget documents often aggregate road maintenance under broader heads like construction, widening, and restoration, without isolating exact maintenance figures,” said a senior PWD official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
In the absence of a detailed breakdown, isolated data offers a glimpse into the magnitude of expenditure. In just one recent year, the PWD spent Rs 30.52 crore on pothole repairs alone “ covering 18,899 sites across the State. That translates to roughly Rs 16,000 per pothole, raising eyebrows over the costs and efficiency of the repairs.
AMC model & delays
In an effort to streamline the upkeep of roads after the expiry of the contractor’s defect liability period (DLP), the PWD had, two years ago, introduced Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) for the first time.
The initiative involved appointing one contractor each for North and South Goa, who would be responsible for carrying out prompt repairs. The AMC model costs the exchequer approximately Rs 6 crore annually and covers roads where the DLP has lapsed.
“During the defect liability period “ four years for National Highways and three years for State highways “ the original contractor is obligated to repair any damages,” the official said.
However, once that period ends, the responsibility shifts to the PWD, which earlier had to rely on individual divisions to prepare estimates and seek approvals for repair work “ a process often riddled with bureaucratic delays.
“The AMC system was introduced to plug these delays. Now, the contractor appointed for the region is responsible for identifying and repairing damages promptly, which has helped improve response time,” the official added.
Maze of utility cuts
Much of Goa’s road maintenance woes stem not just from traffic and weather-related damage, but also from repeated digging by government departments for laying water pipes, electricity cables, sewer lines and broadband infrastructure. The standard procedure requires these departments to seek a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PWD before digging up a road.
“Once the NOC is granted, the utility department provides details of the stretch to be excavated. Based on this, PWD prepares an estimate for reinstating the road,” the official explained.
The reinstatement involves a layered process: the trenches are first filled with stones, then compacted, followed by the laying of water-bound macadam (WBM) and finally hotmixing to match the road surface. However, the problem arises when funds are not sanctioned in time.
“Most times, resurfacing of the excavated roads doesn’t happen immediately because the government may not have the required funds. Until financial sanction is obtained, no work can be undertaken,” the official said.
This delay results in roads being left in poor condition for extended periods, frustrating commuters and raising safety concerns. In contrast, when private individuals or companies need to cut a road for construction or commercial reasons, the PWD insists on a different procedure.
“The party is first required to deposit the entire resurfacing cost upfront. Only then is the NOC issued. This ensures that there are no delays in reinstating those sections,” the official said.
Lack of transparency
While large sums are being spent “ whether it’s Rs 30 crore on potholes or Rs 6 crore annually on AMCs “ the opacity in data tracking and delays in fund flow continue to hamper the effectiveness of road maintenance in Goa.
Critics have also called for the use of more durable construction materials and stricter monitoring of road contractors. “There’s no dearth of funds “ only a lack of timely planning and coordination between departments. If we’re spending Rs 16,000 per pothole, the public deserves better results,” said a retired PWD engineer.
Going forward, transparency in maintenance budgeting, better coordination among departments and accountability in execution will be key to ensuring Goa’s roads are not just rebuilt “ but maintained to last.
