Despite monsoon ban, ongoing road-digging work to continue

MAPUSA

The Public Works Department (PWD) has banned new road digging across the state from May 15 until the end of the monsoon, but ongoing excavation projects will continue as they fall under existing contracts that account for the monsoon period.

Chief Engineer of PWD (National Highways), Vallabh Pai, confirmed on Thursday that the annual ban on road digging during the monsoon is a routine order, aimed at preventing further deterioration of roads during the heavy rains.

“This is a standard precautionary measure taken every year. The directive clearly applies only to new digging works. Projects that are already in progress will go on since they were approved earlier and are time-bound,” Pai said.

He further clarified that most government contracts for road and utility works are awarded with a fixed completion timeline, which often includes the monsoon season.

“The tender documents specify the duration of the project. In many cases, the monsoon months are part of this schedule. Halting these works midway is not feasible,” he added.

Despite the official stance, PWD officials admit that the continuation of such works during the rains does pose challenges.

"Yes, it is a problem. Open trenches and ongoing works make it difficult for motorists and pedestrians, especially during the rains. But we are helpless since stopping these works would mean breaching the contract,” said a senior PWD engineer.

Several ongoing projects – primarily those related to the laying of water pipelines, underground electricity cables and telecom ducts – are underway in different parts of the State.

These will continue through the rainy season, leading to traffic disruptions and road safety concerns.

Additionally, the department may grant special permissions for emergency digging, even during the ban period.

“If there’s a rupture in a power cable or a damaged water line, we must allow immediate road excavation to restore essential services,” an engineer explained.

Curiously, while there is a formal direction banning road digging during the monsoon, the PWD does not issue any specific statewide directive regarding the repair of potholes or damaged roads before the rains.

Instead, the responsibility lies with the respective divisional offices.

“There’s no circular or order for pre-monsoon road repairs, but each division is accountable. The executive engineers are expected to ensure that potholes are filled and roads are restored before the rains begin,” a PWD official stated.

With monsoon approaching, citizens can expect road works to continue in several areas despite the ban on new digging.

While the department promises to keep disruption to a minimum, inconvenience seems inevitable for commuters across the State in the coming months.