A two-wheeler rider was seriously injured after colliding with a broken-down truck on the Curti four-lane highway on Wednesday evening, triggering strong criticism from locals over alleged negligence by the traffic department.
The injured rider, Mahesh Tivari (26) of Ganjeim, Usgao, sustained serious injuries to his nose and was shifted to the Goa Medical College (GMC). The accident occurred around 5.30 pm.
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Locals alleged that the truck, which was reportedly loaded and stranded due to engine failure, had been lying on the highway for over a month without being removed, posing a serious hazard to motorists. They blamed the traffic department for failing to act despite repeated complaints.
It may be recalled that O Heraldo, in a report dated January 22, had earlier highlighted the potential danger posed by the abandoned vehicle. Social worker Viraj Sapre, who had been urging authorities for the past month to remove the truck, questioned whether the government was waiting for a fatal accident before taking action. He expressed shock over the authorities’ stated helplessness, citing the lack of cranes or towing vehicles to clear the highway.
It was learnt that the same truck had earlier broken down on the Farmagudi highway and remained stranded there for a week. After being moved, it again broke down on the Curti highway, where it continued to remain unattended despite locals repeatedly drawing the authorities’ attention. The truck owner, based in Karnataka, was contacted by the authorities but allegedly failed to remove the vehicle.
Locals said that while the government imposes heavy fines for traffic violations, it neglects basic road safety. They have decided to file a complaint at the police station, alleging negligence by the traffic department, and demanded that the government procure adequate cranes or towing vehicles to promptly clear loaded vehicles from highways.
