PONDA: In a move that brought relief to the residents and road-users of Khandepar, the National Highway Authority of India on Monday finally closed the median gap on the four-lane highway at Curti, where several horrific accidents have occurred in the recent past. Locals have been demanding the closure of the accident-prone space, which was misused by negligent motorists and heavy vehicles.
Two days ago, a fatal accident was reported at the spot, wherein a local man on a two-wheeler was killed when a truck mowed him down. The latest in a string of mishaps, the man’s death triggered indignation among the residents, who had grilled traffic police over the long-pending issue.
Local resident Sandeep Parkar said he had complained to the Deputy Collector of Ponda about the dangerous and unauthorised median gap on the highway at Curti. “I informed him that it was a death trap causing accidents as vehicles, especially trucks, were suddenly taking U-Turns at this median gap to then park on the roadside illegally, leading to frequent accidents and risk to locals,” said Parkar.
Parkar said that the Deputy Collector had directed the traffic police to inspect the spot and submit a report on the matter. Following this, the traffic police reported to the deputy collector that the median gap was accident prone and asserted the need to close it.
The NHAI officials were apprised of this traffic report and the Deputy Collector also told them that the accidents further caused law and order problems in the area, and pedestrians were at greater risk. The NHAI was directed to address the issue immediately, and on Monday, the gap was closed by laying a long pipe at the spot. Many locals gathered to witness the closure and hoped that a more permanent barricade would be installed to close the median. They also requested the police to ensure that trucks and heavy vehicles refrain from parking along the highway.