PONDA: Amateur motorbike racing is a dangerous trend gaining popularity in Ponda, complain road-users who are often forced to jump out of the way of these ‘daredevils’ who speed through the town roads at night. Anxious about the spate of accidents reported on the wide, smooth road leading to Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, residents have appealed to various authorities including the traffic police and PWD, to address the misuse of this 16 metre-wide stretch.
“Every night, this road becomes a haven for youngsters who perform dangerous stunts and wheelies, and also organise drag races. This daredevilry continues unchecked as there are no speed breakers, zebra crossings or even speed-limit sign boards on this road,” said local social worker Viraj Sapre, asserting that the practice puts both the reckless riders as well as other motorists and pedestrians at risk. The wide road leads to Bethora panchayat, where it narrows suddenly, and has turned into a death trap, said Sapre, adding that a horrific accident was reported on the stretch Thursday night, wherein a collision between two speeding motorbikes left their riders seriously injured.
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“During the day, vehicles proceed at high speeds on this stretch, one of the few parts that aren’t dug up. The government has not installed deterrents like sign boards or speed breakers, giving local youth the chance to perform stunts on this road,” he said. Sapre warned that the people from the residential localities around this stretch would protest on the streets in order to pressurize the government to install safety measures on the one-kilometre long stretch. “The residents of the Kala Mandir and Sapna Park areas are afraid to drive down this road at night because of these heedless youngsters who perform stunts here. The rumblers do not have any effect on these youths as they only increase speed when riding over them,” said Ponda local Allen Fernandes.
