Staff Reporter
Calangute
Citizens have flagged the pathetic state of major roads in Calangute and Saligao, warning that the damaged stretches pose a serious risk to motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders. The combination of loose stones, dust, and uneven surfaces has made daily commuting hazardous.
These roads were dug up for underground cabling works months ago, and while authorities had assured that repairs would follow immediately, restoration is still pending. With the monsoon fast approaching, residents fear the situation could worsen and lead to accidents if repairs are not carried out urgently.
“Due to traffic jams caused by the ongoing flyover construction, we started using the Saligao-Pilerne road to travel from Calangute to Panaji, but it has become a horrible road to travel on,” said Simon, a local commuter. “The stretch from the Saligao Lourdes Convent junction to the Saligao Seminary is in a terrible state. We take this Saligao road to avoid the traffic via Porvorim, but it is often full
of dust and dangerous to drive on because of the previous digging. Hopefully,
the repairs will be done before the monsoon; otherwise, the situation could lead to accidents.”
The road from Saligao Circle to the Saligao Seminary is currently so degraded that driving has become extremely difficult, with four-wheelers making it worse on the narrow, damaged route. Similarly, the stretch from St Alex Church to the Calangute Police Station remains in poor shape and awaits urgent repairs.
Saligao MLA Kedar Naik was unavailable for comment, but has previ-
ously stated that road works in the area would be taken up soon.
