Calangute: The Diwali rush of tourists in Calangute and the consequent chaos have prompted fresh calls from tourism stakeholders and others in the Calangute market area for the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) to fast-track the ongoing underground utility corridor and drainage works along the main thoroughfare from the village panchayat towards Calangute beach, the main tourist hub.In Sept, GSIDC chairperson Michael Lobo had assured that the work would be completed by Nov, ahead of the peak tourist season, which begins around Diwali. However, the work is not even halfway complete, locals said.“It is still incomplete and nobody knows when it will be completed. The ditch has been left open without any safety measures, and the iron rods are exposed. One person has died and some others have fallen into the ditch. There is so much danger for shop owners. When they come with supplies, they could fall into it. People are facing losses. Tourists are here in large numbers and the season has started. Anything can happen to them. Earlier, they said it would be completed by ‘chovoth’. They should finish it as soon as possible,” said Nitin Raikar, a local.Calangute traffic police inspector Brandon D’Souza said, “There is a large rush of tourists and we are personally managing the traffic. The work is going on, mud is on the road, half the road is barricaded and there is machinery at the site.”MLA Lobo, who reviewed the work on Wednesday, did not give a specific completion date. “I reviewed the progress of underground electrical and internet cable ducting, water pipelines and drainage infrastructure being undertaken through GSIDC, with a focus on the pace of execution, quality of work and timely completion. I will continue to closely monitor their progress to ensure their completion with minimum inconvenience to residents, businesses and commuters,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to complete the work at the earliest.
