Just a week after potholes in Taleigao had been repaired using the much vaunted jet patcher machine acquired by the PWD, the potholes were found to have opened up again. The machine is being tried as a quick fix solution for gaping potholes during the monsoons when the resurfacing of roads and more permanent repairs cannot be taken . To make matters worse, roads seem to be dug up for laying of sewerage, gas and electricity lines by government authorities in an uncoordinated manner especially in the monsoons. But the moot point remains: why should we resort to 'band-aid' solutions at all ? If roads are built as per standard engineering practices there won't be any need for jet patchers and other similar machinery. The government should come down heavily on erring road contractors and a 5-year defect liability clause should be an integral part of work contracts awarded to agencies. This might at least help in partially stemming this criminal waste of tax payer's money.
