Daijiworld Media Network – Mapusa

Mapusa, Jun 17: With the monsoon sweeping across Goa, gaping potholes have once again surfaced on key roads, laying bare the glaring negligence in road maintenance by the authorities.

A particularly dangerous crater along the busy Canca–Mapusa district road, a major route to beach hotspots like Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Vagator, remains unrepaired despite repeated appeals from residents and commuters.

“This pothole was patched up temporarily last year with gravel, but no permanent repair was done during the dry season,” lamented a local from Canca.

As rains lash the region, these waterlogged potholes become nearly invisible after dark, endangering two-wheeler riders and motorists.

Tourists and locals using this vital road face daily risks, raising concerns about Goa's infrastructure credibility, especially for a state marketed as a premium travel destination.

“The negligence is shocking. The dry months were an opportunity to fix this. Now we dodge death daily,” said Rajan Amonkar, a regular commuter.

A similar case reported earlier this month in Mapusa's Duler area saw a large pothole filled not by authorities but by a concerned businessman to prevent accidents, underlining public frustration.

A retired PWD engineer, requesting anonymity, admitted the department lacks a regular monitoring system. “Inspections should be monthly, especially pre-monsoon. Sadly, it’s all reactive,” he noted.

He also urged citizens to use official complaint platforms like the PWD app, which remains underutilised due to poor awareness.

Despite a full team of engineers on its payroll, the Public Works Department faces mounting criticism for its slow and ineffective response.

With rains intensifying, the threat of accidents due to potholes looms large unless swift and decisive action is taken by the authorities.