PONDA: The Borim-Curti bypass has become a hotspot of tragedy, with the number of casualties steadily rising over the past year. Since May 1, 2023, to March 15, 2024, five lives have been lost in accidents, and numerous others have narrowly escaped similar fate. The latest victim, Pramod Naik, succumbed to electrocution by a power line on Friday night, adding to the grim toll.
The ongoing road widening work on the Borim-Curti stretch, which has spanned over a year, has raised serious concerns among locals regarding safety measures. Incidents involving overturned cars, machinery left unattended on the road, and pedestrians being struck have become distressingly common occurrences, putting motorists at risk and causing inconvenience.
In December, a harrowing incident saw a truck inadvertently making contact with a live power line, resulting in a fiery blaze that fortunately did not claim any lives but caused considerable damage. Similarly, a fatal accident near Bonbagh-Betora claimed the life of a young person, while another tragedy ensued when a speeding two-wheeler collided with machinery parked by the roadside.
Close calls have become all too frequent, leaving locals fearing the worst. Frustration mounts as the road work drags on without adequate safety precautions in place. Calls for better safety measures, such as warning signs for drivers and pedestrians, have grown louder, especially at accident-prone spots like the Betora junction.
Mangaldas Gawade expressed grave concerns over the recurring accidents and urged authorities to hold the contractor accountable for prioritising safety during the expansion work. Similarly, Hemant Samant highlighted the escalating dangers along the Bythakhol to Curti stretch, asserting the urgent need for signal installations to mitigate accidents and ensure the safety of local residents.