“The issue goes beyond potholes—it is about trust. Every monsoon, citizens watch the same cycle repeat: roads are dug up hastily before the rains, patched badly, and by July, what remains is a dangerous obstacle course. Contractors are paid, officials look the other way, and commuters pay with their safety. Unless Kamat addresses the entrenched nexus of corruption, negligence, and contractor-politician collusion, his tenure at the PWD risks becoming another chapter in the long book of Goa’s road mismanagement.
There is also the question of vision. Goa’s road infrastructure has not kept pace with the demands of its growing population and rising vehicle density. It is not enough to repair potholes; what the state needs is a master plan for sustainable, durable roads built to withstand heavy rains and rising traffic.”
Goa’s roads have long been a telling metaphor for the state’s governance. They are dug up, patched over, half-completed, and often left to crumble under the first monsoon showers. The very arteries that carry the state’s lifeblood—tourism, trade, and daily life—are riddled with gaping potholes and eroded shoulders. For a place that sells itself on beauty and experience, this is a bitter contradiction. With Digambar Kamat taking charge of the Public Works Department (PWD), many Goans are asking the obvious: will the new minister be able to fill the literal and metaphorical holes that successive governments, including the Chief Minister, have allowed to fester?
Kamat is not new to responsibility. As a former Power Minister and Chief Minister, he carved out a reputation for accessibility. Citizens recall that he would take calls even at midnight, listening to grievances with patience. In an era when political leaders are increasingly insulated by layers of bureaucracy and public relations, this quality stands out. The hope is that this personal attentiveness will now translate into public accountability for one of Goa’s most pressing civic crises.
Yet hope alone cannot pave roads. What Goa faces is not merely a funding problem but one of execution and standards. In recent months, announcements have been made about the Centre releasing funds for infrastructure projects. On paper, the numbers appear promising. In reality, the asphalt laid is so poor that stretches of newly constructed roads disintegrate within months, if not weeks. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, and public transport, and it damages Goa’s image as a tourist-friendly state.
The issue goes beyond potholes—it is about trust. Every monsoon, citizens watch the same cycle repeat: roads are dug up hastily before the rains, patched badly, and by July, what remains is a dangerous obstacle course. Contractors are paid, officials look the other way, and commuters pay with their safety. Unless Kamat addresses the entrenched nexus of corruption, negligence, and contractor-politician collusion, his tenure at the PWD risks becoming another chapter in the long book of Goa’s road mismanagement.
There is also the question of vision. Goa’s road infrastructure has not kept pace with the demands of its growing population and rising vehicle density. It is not enough to repair potholes; what the state needs is a master plan for sustainable, durable roads built to withstand heavy rains and rising traffic. The best practices are out there—quality materials, transparent tenders, independent inspections, and penalties for shoddy work. The question is whether Kamat has the political will to enforce them.
The symbolism of roads cannot be overlooked. For citizens, well-maintained roads signify dignity, safety, and respect from the government. For tourists, they shape first impressions. For businesses, they ensure smooth logistics. If Goa can pride itself on world-class beaches, luxury hotels, and international events, why should its citizens settle for third-rate roads?
Kamat’s reputation as a responsive leader offers a ray of optimism. He has an opportunity to differentiate himself by insisting on accountability and setting deadlines that are met not only on paper but also in practice. Instituting mechanisms for public feedback, making project details publicly accessible, and ensuring that independent engineers certify road quality could be the beginning of a new culture of governance.
But leadership is also about courage. Will he be willing to confront entrenched interests within the contractor lobby? Will he be able to stand up to political colleagues who benefit from the status quo? These are the tests that will determine whether he is remembered merely as another minister who “tried” or as the leader who finally transformed Goa’s roads.
For too long, potholes have been both a physical nuisance and a political metaphor. They represent gaps in planning, accountability, and vision. As Digambar Kamat steps into the PWD portfolio, the people of Goa are not just looking for patchwork solutions. They are looking for roads that last, governance that listens, and leadership that acts.
The test begins now, on the very streets we drive.
