Team Herald
VASCO: Speeding bauxite-loaded trucks plying to Mormugao Port on NH17 B via Chicalim have been posing a danger to motorists, locals, students and pedestrians at Dabolim and Chicalim. Residents of the area complain that attempts made, including by the police, have failed to effectively address this issue and they have now decided to block NH 17 B if the issue is not resolved in a week.
“Drivers of heavy vehicles, particularly bauxite-loaded trucks use the four-lane highway with little regard for other motorists and road users. The stretch between MES College junction to Chicalim junction via Dabolim junction has become a high-risk zone. This has been going on for long but as there are accidents taking place and as the concerned authorities are least bothered to take action we have decided to block NH17 B if the issue is not resolved,” Dabolim resident Pratap Mardolkar said.
According to locals, this stretch of road has four schools and over 200 plus trucks ply on it daily. “It is mostly during the movement of bauxite-loaded trucks that the situation becomes risky as these trucks chase each other. There is a speed restriction of 50 km per hour on the road, however, there is no one to enforce this,” Chicalim resident Preetma Keluskar said.
Another local said, “Every day four to five teams of traffic policemen are seen standing beside the road but only to play hide and seek game with motorists in order to issue them challans. When it comes to trucks there is no one to stop them,” Dabolim resident Mahesh Lad said.
Taking note of the people’s anger and ultimatum to protest, Chicalim Panchayat has decided to take up the issue at the next gram sabha meeting.
“The issue has become very serious and we will put it up at the gram sabha and adopt a resolution seeking action and demanding traffic discipline on the road stretch, besides action on illegal parking of trucks on the shoulder of the roads,” Chicalim panch Francisco Nunes said.
