The Public Works Department (PWD) has banned new road digging across the State from May 15 until the end of the monsoon. This ban is aimed at preventing further deterioration of roads during the heavy rains. The directive clearly applies only to new digging works. Projects that are already in progress will reportedly go on since they were approved earlier and are time-bound. It would have been in the fitness of things to approve only projects which can be completed before May 15. Some projects which require road digging may continue well beyond the date when the ban will come into effect.
Open trenches pose open danger for road users and pedestrians. It is learnt that a 32-year-old man from Oxel-Siolim sustained injuries after his two-wheeler plunged into a deep trench at an ongoing roadside work site near Marna-Siolim on Wednesday. The victim suffered injuries to his head and hand and had a providential escape. It is learnt that the area was inadequately lit and lacked proper warning signs and barricades thereby creating a hazardous environment for road-users. It must be said that besides halting all road digging activities from the specified date it is vital to see to it that all dug up roads are properly covered and tarred. All road-digging work for underground cabling work needs to be suspended well before the onset of monsoon.
