Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA – Even as a series of accidents and mishaps mars the accident-prone Karmalghat section NH-66 and the government as of now has only sanctioned funds for acquiring land for the 4-Lane road, PWD(Highway) asked for Forest permission to widen a Sharp and treacherous Curve on Karmalghat section
In a letter addressed to Dy. Conservator of Forests, PWD(Highway) asked for permission to work in the Forest Land to improve Sharp Curve on Karmalghat on NH-66 road.
PWD (Highway) informed at Km 581/850(RHS) ‘in Karmalghat, there exists a very sharp Curve which requires urgent improvement from a road safety point of view. The curve is very narrow on the slope without any side shoulders. The metal crash-barriers earlier provided are damaged and cannot be reinstalled within the available land.
Justifying the request, PWD further informed Forests that the said spot is prone to accidents and is continuously highlighted in print and electronic media for improvements of the sharp curve. In road safety meetings, it is also suggested to improve this location to avoid any untoward incidents; besides Dy Collector (LA), Margao also asked to take preventive measures at the spot and moreover, Speaker has also sought to take up the works on top priority.
PWD (Highway) sought Forest NOC to utilise Forest Land and to fell Six Trees to improve the Sharp Curve at Karmalghat.
It may be recalled that the Karmalghat section is embroiled in back-to-back mishaps, and at most incidents, heavy vehicles have either crashed into the crash barriers or caught in the roadside trench at steep/sharp curves, where the road has no side- shoulders and become very vulnerable and dangerous to the motorists.
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