The national highway from Mandovi Bridge to Alto-Porvorim Bazaar has become an accident-prone zone. As per statistics available with the traffic police, over 50,000 vehicles ply on this stretch every day.
In 2014, 309 accidents took place in the jurisdiction of Porvorim Police, out of which 12 were fatal and 34 were serious. From this, 273 were car accidents. Besides, there were innumerable minor accidents, which were settled mutually by the involved parties. In Goa, the biggest percentage of increase in accidents has been reported at Porvorim – 22.13 per cent.
To reduce accidents and avoid traffic jams, the state government had decided to install a traffic signal at O’Coqueiro junction. This signal was installed free-of-cost by businessman Sanjay Jain and is functioning successfully.
The government has now decided to install eight more traffic signals on this stretch of national highway at major traffic zones, which comprise Sai Service, Sanjay School, Teen Building , DIET, Holy Family Church, Alto-Porvorim bazaar and at two zebra crossings. The installation work of these eight traffic signals with countdown timers and CCTV cameras has already begun.
Traffic Police Inspector Salim Sheik stated that the traffic signal at O’Coqueiro is working satisfactorily, and that motorists are observing the rules in the absence of traffic police.
“The government has therefore decided to install eight more traffic signals at major traffic congestion points on this stretch of national highway. Businessman Sanjay Jain has voluteeered to install these eight traffic signals free of cost. One traffic signal has already been installed near Teen Building bus stop and the installation work of the remaining signals are in progress. The traffic signals will not only reduce accidents, but will also enable traffic police to concentrate on other areas, which are presently being neglected due to shortage of manpower,” said Sheikh.
Businessman Sanjay Jain confirmed that he has taken up the job of installing the traffic signals and that Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte had inspired him to do it for the benefit of the commuters. He stated, “The lives of humans are important than money. Khaunte, despite not being a member of the ruling party, has done a lot of development work in Porvorim constituency. The cost of installing these eight traffic signals is around Rs 50 lakh, and it includes the installation of digital counters and CCTV cameras.”
Meanwhile, Khaunte stated that traffic signals and CCTV cameras on National Highway 17 has become a need of the hour. He stated, “This is one of the busiest roads in Goa, and to reduce accidents, the installation of signals has become a necessity. I was pursuing the matter with the State government for a quite a long time. Since Porvorim businessman Sanjay Jain has volunteered to do this job free of cost for government, these signals will see the light of the day soon. There is also a need for a traffic cell at Porvorim.”
