Daijiworld Media Network - Bardez

Bardez, Oct 15: After months of public outrage over pothole-ridden stretches, the Public Works Department (PWD) has finally begun long-awaited restoration work on the Saligao–Pilerne road and the Calangute Church–Police Station road.

With hotmixing work now underway, commuters and residents are breathing a sigh of relief. The project had been delayed due to unexpected rains at the end of September, which had prevented contractors from starting earlier.

The Saligao–Pilerne stretch, particularly from Saligao junction to the Pilerne Industrial Estate, had been badly affected by repeated excavations for a water pipeline and a 33 KV power line, leaving the road nearly unmotorable during the monsoon. School children and daily commuters struggled to navigate the deep potholes.

“The work on hotmixing has finally begun. It was the need of the hour as a lot of people had suffered due to the bad condition of the road,” said Lucas Remedios, Sarpanch of Saligao. The section from Saligao junction to the temple has been resurfaced, while work toward the industrial estate will follow after pending pipeline replacement.

Similarly, the Calangute Church–Police Station road, which had developed deep potholes and damaged patches, is being resurfaced. The fresh hotmix layer is expected to significantly improve driving conditions and ease traffic movement.

The ongoing repair works have brought relief to residents and motorists, who had repeatedly criticised the PWD and local authorities for failing to maintain these crucial coastal roads.