Several vehicles, especially loaded heavy vehicles, overturning in a similar manner at the same spot, have led to Borim locals fearing a flaw in the design of two circles in the village.
The village has two circles on the slope and it is while coming down the slope from the left of the circles that drivers of heavy vehicles have lost control and the vehicle has fallen on their side. It being a busy road, Borim locals fear that someday people may get trapped under the falling vehicles and are seeking changes to the design of the islands.
Despite locals demanding a change and there being a number of accidents and vehicles falling on their sides, the circle – one near Borim bridge and the other at Bythokhol-Borim – have seen no change in design.
Both circles are located on the national highway and thousands of heavy vehicles ply through Borim. With the closure of Zuari bridge for heavy vehicles, most heavy and loaded vehicles are diverted through Borim and it is in negotiating these two circles that many have fallen on their side.
Former Borim Sarpanch Sunil Savkar along with locals has been demanding changes in the circle design. According to him, the size of circle is too big and the width of the road too narrow, which makes it difficult for heavy vehicles to negotiate the turn thus leading to accidents and injuries to the drivers.
Luckily no pedestrians or passengers who stand at the nearby bus stop have been trapped under the vehicles side.
“The government should not wait for a tragedy and should carry out improvements immediately. Not only this circle, but the Bythokhol circle is also dangerous for vehicles and similar accidents have taken place there,” Savkar said.
Locals also point out that the vehicles need to reduce their speed while negotiating these circles as both circles are located on a rather steep slope. Speeding vehicles going around the circle on the narrow road have fallen on their side with the driver applying the brakes and losing control, at the same spot.
Borim panch Luis Costa suggested that the National Highways authorities inspect the circle. A few days ago, a truck had collapsed alongside the circle and was lying there for several days. Prior to this, a loaded vehicle carrying LPG cylinders had fallen on its side. Recently, there have been around six vehicles that have fallen on their side around this circle.
The Borim road has no streetlights or those existing are non-functional. While locals are aware of the danger, drivers from outside the area who are unaware of the situation, often meet with accidents.
