SURAJ NANDREKAR
As the monsoon season approaches in Goa, the anxiety levels among residents of Saligao are rising. Everyone remembers the chaos that unfolded last year during the 2024 monsoon, turning the picturesque village and its surroundings into a nightmare of flooded streets and traffic snarls.
Unfortunately, as we move into 2025, it seems the situation is poised to worsen, largely due to the questionable planning of local authorities.
For those unfamiliar with the geography of this charming Goan village, Saligao is nestled in the Bardez taluka, surrounded by lush greenery and serene landscapes. However, the beauty of Saligao is often marred by inadequate infrastructure and poorly timed construction projects.
This year, even before the rains have arrived, residents are already bracing themselves for another season of discontent as the authorities have commenced digging work for underground cabling just one month before the monsoons begin.
Last year’s monsoon brought with it torrential rains and unmanageable flooding, and the roads suffered significantly as a result.
Commuters faced immense difficulties venturing towards Saligao, with potholes and potholed streets being the order of the day. Now, as the dust of roadworks settles into the memory of last year, new excavations raise significant concerns among residents and commuters alike.
The timing of the underground cabling project signals a lack of foresight on the part of the authorities.
With monsoon rains forecast to start soon, the ongoing work will continue for at least another month, leaving roads compromised and in a state of disrepair.
Public transport and daily commutes will likely face severe disruptions if the conditions worsen, which is almost a certainty given the previous year’s experience.
Residents of Saligao, Pilerne, and the connecting Saligao-Calangute stretch are understandably disheartened. The fear is not only about the roads becoming worse than they were in 2024 but also about the risk of accidents and emergencies due to the unpaved conditions.
It seems that instead of taking steps towards progress and improvement, the authorities have inadvertently issued an open invitation for trouble.
Moreover, the inadequacy of communication from the local government regarding these projects raises further frustration. There appears to be no clear strategy for how they plan to address the grievances of residents or what contingencies are in place should the monsoon create an even more challenging situation than anticipated.
As local leaders often tout plans for development and urban upgrades, the community is left questioning the efficiency and effectiveness of their administration.
In light of these challenges, the residents of Saligao are urging local authorities to reconsider their timelines and approach to essential infrastructural work. They emphasize the need for planning that takes into account the cyclical nature of the monsoon, to mitigate potential chaos and ensure that the community can navigate the rains without additional hazards.
As the clouds gather and the winds pick up, the hope remains that lessons from last year’s tribulations in Saligao will be applied this year. If not, another monsoon nightmare may be on the horizon. It’s time for the “brainless” decisions to give way to sensible governance that prioritizes the well-being of all Goans, particularly those in vulnerable areas like Saligao.
