Calangute: Calangute locals are upset over the quality of work carried out as regards the sewerage network in the village as a portion of the main road sunk around two manholes, creating crater-like pits.
This resulted in motorists facing a lot of inconvenience on this busy Calangute-Baga road.The incident occurred on Monday and the locals had to block traffic to avoid any untoward incident. The two damaged spots of the road are-one near the Piety chapel and the other is in front of the restaurant Baga Deck.
Locals pointed out that the sewerage work, a JICA-funded project, is being carried out for the last 6 years and has missed a number of deadlines.
However, the incident of the road damage has given rise to doubts in the minds of the residents that the sewerage work might have been carried out in a shoddy manner and, as a result, the road is facing the brunt.
They said that if such was the situation at the work execution stage itself, what would be the scenario once the project was implemented.
As per locals, the outer rings of the manholes are prefabricated and have been brought and fitted at the site unlike in Porvorim where the contractor has constructed the manholes with bricks.
“At the very first instance itself there were apprehensions in the minds of the people that if a manhole tilted to one side there would be seepage problem underground, which seems to be coming true,” stated a local resident.
Khobrawaddo panch Shawn Matins said that it is not known why the road surface sunk at two spots, however, the contractor brought in an earthmover and began the work of repairing the damaged area.
He said that the Simplex contractor has tested the line by releasing water to check for any leakage and the report is awaited.
Sources from the Simplex company and the PWD said that the cause of the damage is the presence of sand. “We need to see if the manhole is damaged, while the road will be repaired within few days,” they said.
Meanwhile, the locals also highlighted the condition of the footpath for tourists and said that it was also in need of repairs.
