MAPUSA
The roads across the State present an obstacle course of potholes, cracks and washed-out sections, just in time for Diwali celebrations.
For Goans, this season of light has been shadowed by frustration and anger as they endure dangerous, uneven roads exacerbated by delayed monsoon rains and unfinished construction projects.
And in an ironic twist, the giant effigies of Narkasur that usually parade down the streets will now face an involuntary "rock and roll" across treacherous roads.
“Never have I seen roads this bad. It’s not just inconvenient, it’s unsafe. I dread going out, especially with the festival rush. This Diwali, we’re navigating through hazards instead of enjoying the holiday,” says Priya Gaunekar, a local resident and small business owner in Panaji.
RAIN & REPAIR
Record-breaking rains are partly to blame for the decayed state of Goa’s roads. With monsoons extending into October, the incessant downpour has further weakened road surfaces that were already in poor condition.
Roads have eroded, some even washed away completely, leaving stretches that are perilous for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
For locals, the story does not end with the monsoon.
The ambitious “Smart City” initiative currently underway in Panaji has involved digging up roads to install essential infrastructure. While the concept promises improvements in the long run, the immediate effect has been a chaotic network of partially repaired roads.
Vishal Naik, a motorist who commutes daily from Margao, shares his ordeal: “Some roads were dug up before the monsoon for laying pipelines and cables and they were just left like that. Now, we’re the ones paying the price. Every trip feels like it could be the one that damages my bike or injures me.”
ACCOUNTABILITY
As Goa’s citizens struggle to cope with these conditions, frustration mounts against contractors and officials alike.
Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio, recently issued a stern warning to contractors and PWD engineers to make all roads motorable by November’s end.
Show-cause notices have been served, but for many residents, this action feels like too little, too late.
“It’s not just about making the roads motorable again. We’re paying taxes, and in return, we deserve better. The PWD portfolio needs a dedicated minister, someone who can focus on quality and not just play catch-up every monsoon season,” explains Jawaharlal Shetye, a RTI activist from Mapusa.
PUBLIC OUTRAGE
Locals have taken to social media with memes, videos and images that humorously criticize the state of Goa’s roads.
Yet beneath the humour lies serious discontent, as community groups and opposition leaders have also staged protests, gheraoed engineers and highlighted dangerous road conditions through visual campaigns.
CHALLENGING TIMES
Despite the challenging circumstances, the spirit of Diwali shines on in Goa. As locals prepare for the traditional burning of Narkasur effigies, there is a touch of irony as the giant, demon-like effigies might be performing an unintended "dance" over the broken roads.
“There’s humour in it, yes,” says Geeta Patkar, an elderly resident of Old Goa, “but there’s also sadness. We laugh about it, but in the end, we’re just hoping next year we’ll have safer roads to walk and drive on.”
This year’s Diwali may see Goans navigating potholes and broken patches as they light diyas and set off fireworks, but beneath the laughter and festivities lies a strong message: the people of Goa deserve better.
