Calangute Road Digging Sparks Public Outrage Days After Hotmixing
In a shocking turn of events, the Chogm road in Calangute, which was hotmixed just three days ago, has been dug up again for culvert construction. This move has left commuters and activists furious, highlighting concerns over unplanned development and wasteful expenditure of public funds.
Political Leaders Condemn the Move
Calangute Congress block committee president Lourenco Silveira expressed strong disapproval, stating, "This is shocking and typical of the unplanned development that is going on in the state under BJP government. How can they dig a road three days after it was hotmixed? This is a complete waste of public money." Similarly, Calangute AAP convener Manuel Cardozo added, "People are unable to believe that a road has been dug up again for building a culvert. There is absolutely no planning."
Sarpanch Explains the Oversight
Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira provided context, explaining that a Portuguese-era culvert at the spot was overlooked during the hotmixing process. "When the hotmixing was going on, the road there collapsed and that was when we found out that there was a culvert there. As the road has collapsed, it was decided by the PWD to repair the culvert," he said. This revelation has raised questions about the initial planning and execution of the roadwork.
History of Repeated Disruptions
This incident is not isolated. The stretch has faced multiple disruptions over the past year:
- It was closed for approximately a year initially for pipeline laying.
- Subsequently, it underwent repairs only to be dug up again multiple times.
- The recent hotmixing by MLA Michael Lobo and Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira was meant to be a final fix, but the culvert issue has led to further digging.
The repeated disturbances have severely inconvenienced commuters and drawn criticism from local residents and political figures alike. This pattern of uncoordinated work underscores broader issues in infrastructure management and public accountability in the region.
