Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Sudden and gruesome death has become a chilling phenomenon on overcrowded Goan roads. With over 300 people killed last year in road accidents, and another thousands injured, Goans on the road now run more risks than before.
It’s sad that every day we hear at least one or two cases of fatal accidents in Goa.
Each accident on the road is a human tragedy: a life ended, a family shattered. Or, if you are lucky, disability for life. Each accident also contributes to the overall statistics, and these tell a frightening tale: fatalities on the roads have become the Number One cause of accidental death in the State.
The reasons for accidents can be many – like overspeeding, overtaking, drunk driving, bad roads, no proper signboards, etc.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Sudden and gruesome death has become a chilling phenomenon on overcrowded Goan roads. With over 300 people killed last year in road accidents, and another thousands injured, Goans on the road now run more risks than before.
It’s sad that every day we hear at least one or two cases of fatal accidents in Goa.
Each accident on the road is a human tragedy: a life ended, a family shattered. Or, if you are lucky, disability for life. Each accident also contributes to the overall statistics, and these tell a frightening tale: fatalities on the roads have become the Number One cause of accidental death in the State.
The reasons for accidents can be many – like overspeeding, overtaking, drunk driving, bad roads, no proper signboards, etc.
A road accidents not only kills the person but also destroys an entire family, especially if the victim is the only bread-earner in the family.
However, instead of looking into the matter sympathetically and taking remedial measures, the Transport Minister and the Chief Minister said the Media has to study the matter.
Well, this is one of the most shocking statements by any chief minister.
What does the CM mean to say with this remark? Does the media have the power to stop accidents? Does the media correct road engineering faults?
Instead of reprimanding his Transport Minister and the PWD Minister and finding a solution to this matter, the Chief Minister seems to be looking on the other side.
According to a recent reply in the Assembly on road accidents, the PWD Minister had said, “Inspections /Audit /Checks/ testing of signage’s, Speed limits and other indicators along the highways are periodically conducted during the various stages of its construction/ completion/Commissioning/ Operation and regular maintenance. Audits for the National highways and State highways were conducted in the year 2019 and subsequently in the year 2022. Besides this, Audits of isolated Black Spots are conducted from a road safety point of view. The reports of the same being voluminous in nature are not submitted.”
Also, it adds, “Whenever any fatal accident is reported, the in charge of the concerned Traffic Cell visits the accident spot and, after inspecting the spot, submits the proposal for road improvement, if any, to the concerned Civic Body/Agency/PWD.”
But this remains only on paper. In reality, there seems to be no action.
The recent comments of the SP Traffic Bosseut Silva are a testimony to this.
He said they have given several recommendations for road improvement, but they have fallen on deaf ears.
Not just the PWD ignore the suggestion given to them; it is also the Traffic Police who pay the least attention to the issue.
In Goa, the job of the traffic police is to stop the outstation vehicles and tourists and challan them. Not just the traffic police but even the regular police stations have been given targets to be achieved every month. Often the police themselves, who hide in bushes, and pounce on the two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets, are the cause of accidents.
Is collecting challans the only way to put a check on accidents?
Yes, Goa’s road infrastructure is improving every day but at what cost? Better roads mean more accidents? Why are the youth not granted education on overspeeding? Why are speed breakers not painted? Why are there no proper signages?
