PANJIM: Residents of Ribandar have complained that the milling work which had started on the Ribandar Old Goa road stopped after the machinery broke down thus delaying the completion of the work. The deadline has been pushed further, touching the Exposition dates. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV asked people of Ribandar what inconveniences they suffered and also their opinion on the quality of work done.
The work had started immediately after Diwali. The machinery broke down and there was a delay of three or four days. The initial deadline was 15th November, the new deadline is 18th November. So we are hoping that the work will be completed by then. Since there is the Exposition (of St Francis Xavier) they have no option. People are facing a dust problem. Right from the beginning I have been shouting, that they are doing haphazard work, this is the effect. They did not plan it properly. But because of the Exposition, the work is on, on a war footing. They have promised the road from Ribandar Patto to Shree Vithal Mandir will be done.
Sahish Mahambrey, Advocate
People are suffering. You can see dust on the entire stretch of road through Ribandar. Thick coat of dust has settled on the houses and vehicles. Dust pollution is the major issue at the moment. Many residents’ lungs have started to get affected. The silica dust which is raised is very dangerous to people’s health. Any doctor will tell you how silica dust causes lung disease. You have seen the condition of the road, they have to finish the road tarring by November 15, 2024. They have NOC till November 15. They should have expedited the work due to the Exposition, but that too is not happening. I doubt they will be able to complete the work.
Vaibhav Salgaonkar, Advocate
We don’t know who is responsible –is it the police, the PWD or the CO of the Smart City. Before beginning the work they should have thought of an alternate road. Because of the nuisance caused by milling and tarring of the road, people have left they houses and are staying elsewhere. The dust pollution is simply unbearable. My request to the government is if you are doing the road works for the Exposition of St Francis Xavier, our Goencho Saib, you have to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, keep the safety of the people in mind. Secondly, do not dig the road after tarring. If this is done the government will be responsible for wasting public money.
Tanoj Advalpalkar Social Activist