Panaji: The deteriorating condition of roads has become a pressing concern, particularly for motorists and two-wheeler riders navigating through numerous potholes exacerbated by heavy rains.
Despite previous efforts by the Smart City initiative and other authorities to patch up the roads, recent downpours have nullified these attempts, leaving residents at risk. According to a corporator from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), efforts to address the pothole issue through patchwork have proven futile against the persistent rainfall. “The roads, especially from Patto to Kamat House, are increasingly perilous as the potholes continue to expand,” stated the CCP official, highlighting the growing safety hazards faced by commuters.
Local residents voiced dissatisfaction with the quality of road reinstatement carried out under Smart City projects, attributing damages to inadequate reinstatement practices following sewerage and drainage works. “The Smart City contractors have disrupted the existing water drainage system without understanding Ribandar’s surface contours,” one resident expressed. “Roads reinstated post-sewerage works have deteriorated rapidly, leading to waterlogging issues affecting our homes.”
Concerns were also raised regarding incomplete drainage projects in Patto, where an open drain necessitated traffic control measures due to safety hazards. “The presence of a drum over the open drain causes traffic disruptions,” a local resident lamented. In response to escalating complaints, a senior CCP official disclosed that the mayor conducted a joint inspection of Ribandar’s roads with Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd engineers. Immediate directives were issued to expedite repair works and ensure road safety for commuters.
