Newly-widened Aldona-Calvim road starts to sink, locals tense

Panaji: A destabilized/cracked-up 100m stretch of the newly-widened 1.2-km long Aldona-Calvim road is sinking, but some locals are apprehensive about deterioration of the vulnerable stretch during monsoon if it is not stabilized sooner.

A narrow existing road from St Thomas Church, Aldona to Calvim bridge has been broadened under a 1.84-crore project, which also includes pavements and beautification, after work began in August 2015.

But, a 100m stretch of the eastern section in Ganv Khazan, Carona, has become extremely vulnerable due to alluvial soil. "The problems started surfacing after the strong age-old bund was excavated and mud filling was done and a retaining wall built on the water front," Oldrin Pereira, a member of the Aldona panchayat supervisory committee said.

The mud-filled stretch in the khazan started sinking slowly. A one-metre high retaining wall erected to protect the road embankment also sank with the mud. But after more mud was dumped and another wall erected, the situation did not improve. The first wall has disappeared two metres deep and the second one has also sagged.

"The mud flat soil is alluvial and this was reclaimed by comunidades since times immemorial and converted into khazan fields," says Hector Fernandes, a geologist and a local resident.

Villagers knowledgeable about soil conditions in khazan land say PWD engineers bungled in this stretch.

"Proper procedures were not followed and advice from experts was not taken in the first place, resulting in wastage of public money," Pereira said.

A PWD official said that the embankment had been destabilized due to the tidal force. "It appears a circular tidal action creates a cavity in the water body and mud is sucked in during high tide," he said.

Panchayat authorities alleged that opposition members are blowing the issue out of proportion. Sarpanch Sandra Rodrigues stated that the sinking of the road is due to soil conditions.

Agreed Jerry Noronha, panchayat member of ward no 2, "Technical experts have inspected the spot and corrective measures are underway," he said.

The destabilization is now restricted to a mere 30m stretch. "A two-metre trench will be dug in the sliding portion and piling will be done to erect a retaining wall," the official said.

Villagers have alleged that the quality of work is suspect and concrete has been excessively used. But, the official said that the contractor is bound by a three-year warranty. "Any lacuna or damage will have to be restored," the official said.