PANAJI: MP Mr Shantaram Naik, in a special mention made in the Rajya Sabha, last week, has drawn the attention of the government on the poor condition of certain stretches of Mumbai-Goa national highway and said that it has become a potholed highway due to the damage caused to it on several stretches.

It is not known as to exactly which government is responsible for the maintenance of national highways -- state or central, Mr Naik said in his mention.
There appears to be no definite policy in this matter. Some stretches of the highways are looked after by National Highway Authority, some by state government by using the funds given by the NHA and so on, Mr Naik said.
Those who do not repair potholes on national highways within 24 hours, commit serious crime of criminal negligence. Thousands of people traveling through public and private vehicles on national highway face the risk of grievous injuries and even death on account of potholes, Mr Naik stressed.
He also said that the present policy of the government all over the country, to repair potholes after the monsoon, is dangerous as, by that time damage caused to life and property of the people is quite huge.
As regards Mumbai-Goa highway, sudden increase of pressure on it on account of disruption of Konkan Railway services, during monsoon, which is a routine matter nowadays, every year, calls for the timely repair of Mumbai-Goa highway all the more, Mr Naik said.
In any case, government should adopt a uniform policy as regards the maintenance of national highways in the country and that it should give up present musical chair policy, Mr Naik added.