August 31, 2025

Saligao: Imagine driving on a road where potholes dance more than the tar! That’s the sad saga of the Saligao-Pilerne road, which, even after more than one-and-a-half years since digging, remains a hazard. The trouble started when the road was first dug up for water supply lines and later for underground power cables. But here’s the kicker – the road was never fully resurfaced. Instead, only shabby patchwork was done, and angry residents are boiling. Luckily, commuters don’t have to take the long 8km detour via Sangolda and Pilerne. But the patchwork itself didn’t last long. Heavy rains have already washed away most of it. The slope from Saligao circle towards the Pilerne industrial estate is especially risky. Dominic Paul, a restaurant owner, shares, “An earthmover was brought here a few days ago and tar was poured into the potholes. And that was that. No other tool was used to permanently fix the issue. The rain is starting to wash all the work away.” Big vehicles struggle to stay steady on this bumpy road. Paul also warns, “A week ago, there was a self-accident where a mother and a child had a fall due to the potholes.” Scary, right? The everyday commuters, like vegetable vendor Farhan Raiza, feel helpless. He says, “The road was repaired in May, but it is still unusable. There is no swift action from the authorities but we have to use this road for commuting. We don’t have a choice.” Also speaking out is Mohandas Vasudeo Mahambre, a former government employee and local resident: “There were frequent accidents taking place here. The chief minister assured to fix the road but the local MLA hasn’t paid any attention.” Social activist Sudesh Mayekar points fingers at poor planning. “If they had begun digging in mid-Jan, the work could have been completed by April, prior to the monsoon,” he explained. The government has plans for a new substation at Saligao and a water treatment plant at Pilerne. But, Mayekar says, “the planning of development works appears to have failed, with no attention paid to providing the basics, such as a good road.” On the other hand, Pilerne sarpanch Reshma Bandodkar offers a cautious take: “Any repair work we carry out during the monsoon season is going to be a waste. A permanent fix will be done post the monsoon.” So, till the rains finish their drama, the Saligao-Pilerne road remains a tough, pothole-filled ride where every journey keeps locals on edge!

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Tags: Saligao-pilerne road, Potholes, Road repair, Goa, Monsoon impact, Local officials,