Agitated Cuncolkars are now planning to come out with all force to close all polluting fish meal plants in Cuncolim Industrial Estate. Recently, an international organisation had listed Cuncolim Industrial Estate as one of the most polluted industrial estate in India. 

Keeping in line with safety standards for national highways across India, crash railings were constructed at places with sharp turn, specially on slopes, on the sides of the road and so after identifying such dangerous spots on the NH 66 from Polem to Cuncolim the crash barriers were installed.

However, there are still many such spots which need crash railings that can substantially improve the safety of motorists using the highway.

Major portions of the NH 66 between Polem to Cuncolim which has uneven terrain and hilly areas and passes through valleys and dangerous blind curves, have, over the years become the major factor for frequent accidents throughout the year, where human lives and properties are lost.

To make this treacherous stretch of road safer for the road users the PWD, highways, with funding from Ministry of Surface Transport (MoST) had erected crash barriers at many places from Polem to Cuncolim in Salcete, which has substantially helped reduce fatalities and minimise the number of accidents on this otherwise perilous road. 

Sources at PWD, highways in Canacona, said about a decade ago, on the advice of the MoST, they conducted a survey of NH 66 stretch passing through Canacona taluka, and on the basis of their recommendations crash barriers where fitted at the places where there was a sudden decrease in gradient. In fact, suggestions received from traffic and elected representatives from the taluka were also taken in to consideration for erecting more crash barriers.

Locals here feel that the PWD authorities were doing too little too late, as far as safety of motorists using NH 66 from Polem till Cuncolim was concerned. Complaints to authorities don't get proper attention they lament. 

"There are risky depressions at Khaddem, Goddea Voll, Barcem, Karmalghat, Bhatpal, Mashem, apart from other places which have witnessed deadly accidents and road-users depend on luck more than safety to reach their destination.  It’s time highway officials met locals to know the difficulties in commuting on these roads and make them safe for road users" a concerned local, Anil Bhagat said.

When these factors pointed out, sources at local PWD highways said “a fresh survey to ascertain such spots would be done and locals can be taken on board for identification of risky portions of road and steps will be taken to make the roads safer."