Beautification of the key road was taken up in 2018
The overhead wires go underground and new two-arm fancy street lights replace the old electricity poles along the key market road in Mapusa as part of the beautification project.
Photo Credits: Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
After a delay of nearly five years the power cables along the main market road in Mapusa went underground and a set of new fancy street light poles came up as part of total makeover cum beautification of the key road giving the entire stretch a new look.
However, hotmixing of the entire stretch which was part of the scheme will have to wait.
The work to replace old electricity poles and beautify the road stretch from Union pharmacy to Mapusa Urban Bank was taken up by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) in 2018 and was expected to be completed within three months but finally took five long years.
The agency had drawn up a plan to overhaul and give a smart look to the crucial road stretch which included replacing the overhead wires with underground cabling and replacing the old electricity poles with two-arm fancy poles.
The proposed work missed several completion deadlines reportedly due to delay in funding the project.
“This work was sanctioned and had commenced when former Dy CM late Francis D'Souza (Babush) was the chairman and l was the vice chairman of GSUDA, but had got delayed due to delay in releasing funds,” said Sandeep Falari, ex-chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council.
Residents of Mapusa appreciated the beautification of the market road and hoped several such other important projects will also be taken up in town.
“This work was long overdue. We have been hearing that the road will be beautified for the past several years. Anyway, it’s better late than never. Congratulations to Mapshekars,” said Nilesh Naik, a resident of Mapusa.
Citizens wanted those in power to pay attention to the crucial parking issue in Mapusa.
“Parking is a huge problem in Mapusa. Whenever we come to the Friday market we have to think twice about finding a parking space in town. We hope the local MLA creates enough space for vehicular parking,” said Sibil D'Souza, a resident of Saligao.
