RESIDENTS of Rio Claro, Mayaro, Manzanilla and other areas connected by the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road which was severely damaged in floods during heavy rains in November last year, are complaining that the temporary road is driving some of them to the poor house.
While taxi drivers complain about the damage to their vehicles, commuters are complaining that the commute into Sangre Grande and other areas has become very uncomfortable, and getting transport has become a major issue.
Residents who once lived along the seaside houses say they have not been able to access their houses for months.
The road had been closed for weeks after the flooding disaster and the Ministry of Works carved out temporary roads through the coconut fields on the side but heavy trucks and speeding cars quickly eroded the crushed asphalt surface leaving a maze of potholes.
On Saturday, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan lead a team of officials to visit the site.
[caption id="attachment_1007547" align="alignnone" width="1024"] One of the seafront beach houses which was damaged by the devastating floods last November. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
Newsday spoke to drivers on the Mayaro and Manzanilla taxi stands in Sangre Grande who all complained about the road’s condition which is forcing them to go to the mechanic regularly to repair their suspension and other mechanical parts.
“It’s deplorable,” said one taxi driver on the Manzanilla taxi stand. Another quipped, “You have to pick up your car to pass there.”
“Some drivers would even prefer to pass on the damaged road than on the temporary one.”
Taxi drivers said the temporary roads have caused extensive damage to several cars since the road was opened in January.
“Tell the minister to come and drive on the road then he will stop talking nonsense,” said a fisherman “This bad road is affecting me very badly. I came with a taxi driver and the piece where they repaired you can’t even pass because it is only boop, boop, boop going down the road.”
Taxi drivers on the Mayaro taxi stand also complained of the road’s conditions.
[caption id="attachment_1007548" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kyle Deoseoran and Nicholas Samuel cast their nets in an pond at the side of the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road on March 23. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
“The main hospital for the area is in Sangre Grande. We don’t have any proper hospitals in Mayaro and Rio Claro, so you have to come to Grande,” said Ronald “Conductor” Hernandez.
“There are ageable people and young people travelling on these roads. Right now, every other day you have to go to the mechanic for some kind of repairs because the road is simply not fit for driving.”
Taxi drivers said that despite the challenges of traversing the road, they still have not taken the decision to raise fares, out of concern for the commuters.
However, one commuter, Rebecca Thomas, from Guayaguayare said she has to pay close to $120 to get to and from Sangre Grande from her home and she has to go the health centre in Sangre Grande twice a week.
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