Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA – The treacherous one-way diversion on NH-66 road is further turned into a death kneel to motorists with large potholes at the foot of Karmalghat at Barcem in Quepem taluka.
The presence of large potholes at the beginning of the newly constructed Culvert bridge at Barcem to the traffic proceeding to Canacona is not only threatening safe driving but also hinders and risks motorists proceeding towards Margao, turning the entire highway stretch dangerously prone to accidents.
It may be recalled that PWD has recently completed the construction of a Culvert bridge across an existing one(a Portuguese-era narrow bridge) just next to the old and unused Forest department store House close at the foot of Karmalghat at Barcem.
Access to this new bridge is facilitated for the traffic coming from Margao and proceeding towards Canacona/Karwar as a one-way entry, leaving the old Portuguese-era Culvert bridge as one-way traffic proceeding towards Margao.
Even before the onset of monsoon rains had begun, the entrance road to the new bridge had developed two large potholes, further aggravated by developments of similar death traps along the entire newly laid stretch on the Culvert Bridge.
Besides, due to the presence of the old and unused Forest Store house still lying in doldrums, unsuspecting motorists coming from Margao-side with their view (of diversion signboard blocked), instead proceed on the old narrow bridge risking the dangers of colliding with the oncoming vehicles (driving on one-way traffic road).
Worst is the situation (where the old forest store structure and the non-repaired potholed road) continue to linger on unchecked and unattended by PWD (Highways), while motorists, especially two-wheelers, are having a tough time riding on NH-66 road.
PWD seems to be waiting for a major calamity to happen as no corrective measures are being taken, nor attempts are being made to fill the dangerous potholes since the traffic is diverted onto the new Culvert bridge.
Interestingly, most vehicles proceeding towards Canacona/Karwar, unaware of the sudden diversion signboard, instead proceed on the wrong side and collide with the oncoming traffic.
“With almost a blind turn (due to the presence of a delipidated structure on the roadside), I could see the diversion signboard so suddenly that I could not turn my steering but proceed straight on the road. Later, I also noticed that the one-way road was full of heavy potholes, but the one I took was better,” this is how a truck driver reacted when questioned why he proceeded on the wrong side of the one-way entry.
Meanwhile, seasonal rains have crossed over the 1000 mm mark even as 24.40 mm of rainfall is recorded on Sunday.
With a storage of 690.75 ham, the Reduced Level at Chapoli dam has reached 34.00 meters
Total seasonal rains have also crossed 1100 mm early Monday morning, while total rainfall is 1096.10 mm on Sunday midnight.
