Battered roads remain as PWD deadlines slip again

CITIZENS FUME AS HAZARDOUS POTHOLES AND BROKEN PROMISES PUT LIVES AT RISK; DEPARTMENT BLAMES RAIN

- THE GOAN | NETWORK

On September 30, Goa was supposed to see smoother rides on its roads.

The newly appointed Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat had promised that potholes would be patched up and the State's worst roads repaired by then.

But as the date slipped by, nothing much changed on the ground. If anything, the condition of the roads seems worse, leaving commuters frustrated and officials pointing to the skies for answers.

The retreating monsoon has been the convenient villain in the story.

“We are aware all roads are in a mess, But we can't help it because the contractors could not take up the work due to the sudden increase in rainfall activity,” admitted a senior PWD engineer, requesting anonymity.

The official also shifted part of the blame onto departments that dug up roads to lay underground utilities, further weakening the surfaces.

For road users, however, these explanations ring hollow.