Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: Five pedestrians have lost their lives in road accidents along the busy highway stretch outside Dabolim Airport between 2025 and 2026, prompting the District Road Safety Committee to examine safety gaps and propose measures to prevent further fatalities.
Following the deaths, a multi-departmental team conducted a site inspection to assess pedestrian movement and identify shortcomings in the existing road infrastructure. The inspection was attended by representatives of GOACAN, the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Public Works Department (PWD) and Vasco traffic police.
Vasco Traffic Police Inspector Alvito Rodrigues said the number of fatal accidents had made it necessary to review pedestrian safety and the existing facilities along the stretch.
He said the traffic police had repeatedly raised the demand for a foot overbridge with the NHAI, having written nearly 10 letters to the authority seeking a dedicated crossing facility between the airport and the opposite side of the highway.
A foot overbridge was among the key proposals discussed during the inspection. The team also recommended installing pedestrian guardrails to prevent people from crossing the highway at random points and exposing themselves to fast-moving vehicles.
The relocation of existing bus stops was another important issue discussed during the exercise. The committee suggested creating a dedicated bus bay to allow buses to pick up and drop passengers without obstructing the movement of other vehicles.
It also recommended proper signage and formal notification of bus stops to ensure that commuters use designated boarding and alighting points.
The inspection was conducted under the District Road Safety Committee, which functions under the South Goa Collector.
With the airport road witnessing substantial movement of vehicles and passengers, concerns extend beyond traffic congestion to the lack of adequate pedestrian infrastructure.
The recommendations have underscored the need for coordinated intervention by the concerned departments, particularly the NHAI, to address the safety deficiencies and make the busy stretch outside Dabolim Airport safer for pedestrians.
