Team Herald
PONDA: With an increase in accidents at Dhavalim Junction, including a recent fatal incident near Bhagwati Temple, residents are raising the alarm over the lack of safety measures at the junction, which has led to loss of life and significant damage to vehicles. Concerned locals are urging authorities, including the Kavlem Panchayat and Highway authorities, to promptly implement safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
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The Dhavalim Junction currently lacks essential safety features, such as speed breakers or a signal system. Local resident Vinod Chimulkar highlighted the frequency of accidents at the junction, emphasising the need for immediate action. Chimulkar also voiced opposition to the practice of parking along the roadside near the junction, which obstructs the view of oncoming traffic on the highway. “Given that speed breakers are not permitted on highways, the authorities could install rumbler strips or a signal system to ensure vehicles slow down before proceeding. This would allow locals to cross the junction safely with their vehicles,” said Vasudev Naik, another local.
In the past two months alone, around five accidents have been reported at the junction. In one tragic incident, a Dhavalim resident lost his life after being hit by a car while crossing the junction to reach his home. The accidents are largely attributed to vehicles speeding along the Ponda-Margao stretch, which intersects with the Dhavalim-Farmagudi bypass. Additionally, four cattle were recently killed at night, and a speeding car lost control, crashing into a roadside compound wall. Another incident involved a car driver colliding with a bike near Bhagwati Temple while the bike was attempting to cross the junction. In yet another case, a car was severely damaged when it had to brake suddenly to avoid hitting a jeep that had stopped to let cattle pass. In the latest hit-and-run incident, a car driver struck a bike and fled the scene, leaving the bike damaged and its rider injured.
Due to the frequent movement of both local traffic and cattle at the junction, residents are calling for the installation of signboards to warn drivers to slow down as they approach the area. The situation is exacerbated at night when some stretches of the road are plunged into darkness due to non-functioning streetlights.
Kavlem Sarpanch Manuja Naik acknowledged the problem and expressed her concern. She urged the National Highway authorities to inspect the site and take necessary measures, including the installation of proper signboards, signals, and other traffic-calming devices, to ensure the safety of both residents and drivers at the Dhavalim Junction.
