Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA – Irked highway motorists and residents questioned the government why government departments are levied fines for not maintaining the road signs and signages (installed to in doctrine road discipline) properly.
With neither the PWD (highway) nor PWD (Roads) carrying proper pre-monsoon works on roads in Canacona, overgrown creepers and protruding tree branches have not only blocked a clear view of the road but have also hidden the road signs erected across the roads.
Several road signs such as ‘Turn Right/ Left’ ‘Keep Left’, ‘Compulsory Left’, ‘Right/Left turn Ahead’, ‘Speed-Limit__’, ‘No overtaking, ‘Stop’, ‘Narrow Road/ Bridge ‘,’Soeed-Breaker ahead, etc. are put up across the NH-66 road, MDR-49, and other main roads in Canacona taluka, which motorists had to follow while driving or liable for fines and challans. However, few of these signs are visible to the motorists using these roads due to maintenance problems.
Many of the notified blind turns also have signages and warning signs for the benefits and provide road disciplines.
Incidentally, a Road-sign ‘KeepLeft’ put up at Madditolop in Dapot-Maxem (Loliem -Polem panchayat area) is one of many such signages on NH-66 total hidden from motorists’ view, as overgrown creepers and weeds have completely hidden the entire board.
To make matters worse, traffic police or RTO officials place themselves slightly ahead and issue fines/ challans for violating traffic discipline/regulations by motorists, particularly for not following the road signs/warnings.
‘This is not only in Loliem -Polem village, but also noticed everywhere in the Taluka and on other roads. Police fines motorists on various violations; what about PWD? Do they have to follow discipline or not? Why are they not fined for not properly maintaining the roads and road signs? Why the roadside bushes and other growths are not being attended to and cleaned.
It has become very dangerous to drive on Turns and Curves as the same has become more blind, making it challenging to see any incoming vehicles’, complained Vishant, a motorist residing close to Highway road in Loliem. “Living close by, I happen to witness several accidents that resulted due to road problems, particularly faulty or no direction or warning for road disciplines”.
To exert proper road discipline, the government, in a good move, has increased the fine rates from 100 to rs.1000, from 1000to Rs. 10,000/, we welcome it, but what about finding the government agencies or the department for not doing their part in road maintenance’? Why did only motorists have to be fined? Issue challans to PWD as well for their failures in road maintenance work ‘, demands Canacona locals.
According to another motorist, the government must maintain the road and road signs properly. At least 3-metres level space across the tar section of Highway’road should be level maintained with no inferences of tree or plant growths, providing a clear view to motorists using the road. PWD should be fined first, as because of their inaction, many road accidents occur, and people also lose their lives. First, enforce road discipline violations on government staff, and then fine motorists for traffic violations, demanded yet another motorist.
