For long, Mapusa has become synonymous with bad roads. Made worse by rain, the roads are dotted with crumbling bitumen and perilous potholes.
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MAPUSA
Most roads in the city are in bad shape but four major stretches are a nightmare for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The Goan visited some of these stretches to find out how dangerous these roads have become for commuters and motorists.
Opposite govt
complex
Around 600 metres stretch of the road opposite Mapusa government complex is completely battered. The road is full of potholes which turn into puddles when it rains making it very difficult for people to predict the size of the potholes.
Two-wheeler riders have faced the brunt of the bad stretch. A number of people have also had a fall. It's the most used road due to number of public offices housed at the government complex and the Mapusa market nearby.
PUBLIC PULSE: "Not only is the road severely damaged, when it rains pedestrians are at risk while trying to avoid water-filled potholes. The authorities have completely failed in their duty to provide basic necessity to the people," said Adv Mahesh Rane from Khorlim.
Near Bank of India
The main thoroughfare of at least 500 metres from Bank of India to old municipality building, which connects Mapusa to the other villages in the North, is also in bad shape. Scarred with potholes, it poses a danger to motorists.
PUBLIC PULSE: "We are helpless. We have to take this route on our onward journey to the village of Siolim. For almost 150 metres, it's a rock and roll drive. Besides the stress on our vehicles, we have to constantly be on guard to avoid mishaps. We pay road tax but we get such horrible roads," said Sadanand Naik, a bus driver along the Siolim-Marna route.
Joao Menezes
pharmacy
The busy internal road from Joao Menezes Pharmacy to the police station can be likened to that of a person developing skin rash. The top layer has been washed away in parts at several places giving the impression that the road has contracted sores. The entire road was carpeted by the sewerage contractors with a pre-mix. With the first rain the pre-mix was washed away leaving the road in terrible condition.
PUBLIC PLUSE: "The road was repaired a few months back. But just as monsoon set in, the top layer disappeared. The potholes have become worse because of the rains. The Mapusa civic body appears to have developed arthritis. They fail to provide basics to the residents," said one of the shopkeepers requesting anonymity.
Pilankar super
market
This is yet another busy stretch in the city with steady flow of vehicles. Before the monsoon, this road was hot-mixed by the sewerage contractors. Incidentally, former chairperson Sandip Falari's house is located along the stretch. After the first heavy showers, the area around the sewerage chambers on the road have sunk so deep that the stretch has become treacherous for motorists. The St Xavier`s College is located nearby and a number of students take this road to reach the college.
PUBLIC PULSE: "I usually take this road to reach my college. The road which has sunk at various places has made it very difficult to negotiate a vehicle along the stretch. Nowadays, I prefer to take the longer route," Ryan Mendonca, a first year college student.
OFFICIAL QUOTE:
"We are aware that many roads are in bad shape. It's all because the city was getting a new sewerage line. The sewerage contractors have now started to patch up various roads with the cold mix. Most roads will be ready before the Chaturthi," said Rohan Kavlekar, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council.
