Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Dec 26: The recent fall of 71-year-old Maria Delia de Abreu from her scooter on a damaged road in Taleigao has once again exposed the poor state of road infrastructure across Goa, renewing public criticism of the Public Works Department (PWD) and its failure to ensure safe, pothole-free roads.
Despite repeated assurances by PWD Minister Digambar Kamat since his induction into the Cabinet on August 21, road conditions across the State continue to remain far below acceptable standards. The gap between official claims and ground reality has widened, leaving commuters vulnerable to daily risks.
The minister’s latest promise, made on November 22, that all potholes across Goa would be repaired within 15 days, has failed to translate into meaningful action. With the deadline long past, roads across Panaji, Mapusa, Taleigao, Santa Cruz, Chimbel, Sanguem and Curchorem remain riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces and incomplete patchwork.
In many areas, so-called repairs have worsened conditions, with uneven hot-mixing, loose gravel and abrupt level differences making roads dangerous, particularly for two-wheeler riders, pedestrians and senior citizens. The incident involving de Abreu has brought the consequences of this neglect into sharp focus.
The Taleigao road stretch where she fell had reportedly been dug up for over a year and left unattended. Covered with loose debris and gravel, the uneven surface caused her to lose balance, resulting in bruises and swelling after the scooter fell on her leg.
“Every time I step out, I feel scared. During the rainy season, things were even more difficult as there were many potholes. It became very hard to use the roads, as only half of them were available for motorists,” de Abreu said.
Following the incident, her daughter and social activist Cecille Rodrigues lodged a formal complaint with the Superintendent of Police, North Goa, seeking accountability from the PWD. Rodrigues stated that the road stretch had been ignored despite repeated complaints to the department and the issue being raised at Gram Sabha meetings. She also alleged that road repairs are often rushed only ahead of VVIP visits, while everyday commuter safety is neglected.
“I have raised the issue multiple times. But what is the ultimate result? People continue to fall and get injured. Some have been left bedridden, and some have even died. We want to ask the PWD minister what is stopping the government from providing basic facilities,” Rodrigues said.
Similar complaints are emerging from across the State. In Indira Nagar, Chimbel, residents have been struggling with a nearly one-kilometre stretch of road in a densely populated area that has not seen comprehensive repairs for over a decade. Potholes, slippery surfaces, poor drainage and malfunctioning street-lights have turned daily commuting into a hazardous task, especially during the monsoon.
“If ambulances are required, they cannot reach near homes. Transporting sick persons or pregnant women becomes extremely difficult,” said John Nazareth, Santa Cruz Congress Block President, adding that despite paying all taxes, residents continue to be deprived of basic infrastructure.
Nazareth said assurances from the local MLA have yielded no results so far. Echoing the sentiment, Ikbal Sheikh, a resident of Indira Nagar, said poor lighting and clogged drains have made interior roads unsafe even after a light shower.
“It has been more than ten years since the road was last repaired properly. Only patchwork is done. Adding salt to the injury is the work carried out by other departments such as electricity and sewage. Roads are dug up and not restored,” said Hussain Saab Chaparband of Chimbel.
In Mapusa, one of North Goa’s busiest towns, major stretches including Market Road, areas near Saraswat School, Shamshan Bhumi Road at Khorlim, Duler and Gausawaddo continue to suffer from broken surfaces and deep potholes. Heavy traffic during peak hours further increases the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.
Mapusa-based social activist Sanjay Barde criticised the quality of repair work, alleging that the government is misleading the public. “Jet patchers are being deployed, but this is a useless exercise that benefits only the operators. There needs to be proper quality control. In many cases, the work is simply not up to the mark,” he said.
Public frustration has intensified over what residents describe as cosmetic repairs. Many potholes may be ‘filled’ on record, but the patchwork is often uneven and poorly compacted, posing fresh dangers. Road cuttings by electricity, sewerage and other departments are frequently left open or inadequately restored, further compounding the problem.
As 2025 draws to a close, the persistence of potholes and substandard roads has raised serious questions about the PWD’s planning, coordination and execution. While tenders for hot mixing and repairs continue to be announced, commuters across Goa are asking why work has either not begun or failed to deliver durable and safe roads.