The bypasses and highways around Ponda are literally a death trap for drivers, two wheeler riders and pedestrians, at night, due to vehicles which crisscross at breakneck speed, in the absence of night police patrols. These violators of speed limits include both Goans and interstate drivers.
During the daytime, presence of several Traffic Police officer by the highways deters such rash and negligent driving, forcing many to follow traffic rules. Stopping of drivers for alcohol test and control of illegal carrying of goods transport by traffic police also controls many violations which drivers would have otherwise indulged in.
However, at night, potential violators of traffic rules have a freehand on the road as there is no night police patrol to challan them or caution violators of traffic rules.
The time between 7 pm and 7 am, a period of 12 hour loaded heavy vehicles, four wheelers and two wheelers zoom, with some drivers speeding under the influence of alcohol.
Though many people may presume that there is less traffic at night the accidents that occur are horrific, and fatal.
A few days ago a youth from Talaulim seated beside the driver of a four wheeler died at Borim due to rash driving at night time. Another youth from Marcel died after he rammed his two wheeler into a truck, after he could not control his bike while overspeeding.
The dangerous curves on the road and poor road alignment along with over speeding adds to the list of casualties. Many loaded trucks overturn at the dangerous turn at Venktesleela hotel due to over speeding, leading to casualties.
There was another fatal accident at Khandepar bridge, a little away from the town. A truck carrying coal was zooming at great speed in the early hour at around 3.30 am. After the driver lost control the vehicle rammed into the side railing of the bridge and fell on its side on the narrow bridge, resulting in severing of the front wheels and axel, due to rash driving. On the same day another truck carrying essential commodities fell on its side after loosing control in the wee hours.
Some years ago a jeep driver from Ponda while returning from IFFI programme drove his speeding vehicle on the wrong lane at Dada Vaidya Chowk Ponda, killing a newly married youth from Usgao.
The rash driving coupled with overloading of good carriers and poor packing also results in many accidents. Often the goods fall on the road as the trucks pass along the highway. Recently two cable coils was seen fallen along the narrow Borim highway due to rash driving by an interstate goods carrier. The driver continued driving till some driver overtook him and informed him about the fallen cable coils at two different places. Luckily there were no fatalities caused to two wheeler riders and pedestrians.
Not only the highway around Ponda are death traps at night, but even the isolated bypass roads around Ponda are witness to many major and minor accidents even as they are far from residential areas in Ponda. Although many of the residents along the bypass are of moderate means, the commercial establishment including eateries and roadside dhabas, transport offices and other businesses are flourishing. The reason is that a large number of interstate heavy vehicles park on both sides of the bypass at Bethora Borim Bypass road, leading to accidents.
According to Ponda Municipal Councillor Venkatesh Naik many such accidents take place on the bypass and highway since traffic rules are not followed by Goan and outside drivers especially by over speeding.
“They should be made aware of traffic rules or otherwise the situation would get worse. There should be some provisions made by Government and atleast one or two night flying squads should be posted to control rash driving. Many precious lives have been lost especially during night.”
Naik further stated that the road and bypass should be aligned and the curves should be cut to avoid accidents. He said the interstate drivers think that the bypass is not connected to any internal roads and drive at great speed.
o suddenly when any vehicle comes onto the main road, they panic and apply break resulting in accidents. The government should improve the highway by having signals and visible sign boards and construct subways or over bridge wherever necessary.
Police Inspector(Traffic) Ponda Nilesh Diagodkar says, “There is no system in place to control rash driving especially at night. However, he said that one officer sits in the traffic police office to monitor any untoward incident. On March 18 there was an accident and the trailer overturned blocking the road. I personally rushed and called for machinery to remove the blockade.”
