The day before the accident at Gavon, in Raia, South Goa. There was a panel discussion held by Goa Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) in association with the Goa Institute of Management (GIM). The Superintendent of Police (SP) North Nidhin Valsan thought it important enough to spare his time. Roland Martins who pushes for ISI helmets and other civic causes was there and GIM students led by two professors made a presentation on the black spots around Goa and possible solutions. However, the people who should be there, but had backed out at the last moment were representatives of the PWD.
In his address Valsan made a very valuable point. The Government will act to address these accidents in time. India is not only a great country but also large and democratic so there are challenges. The repercussions of an accident live forever with the victim or his relatives in case of a fatality. A person may lose the use of his limb for his lifetime, a little child can become an orphan, so be careful. ‘Please drive carefully, someone is waiting for you at home ‘ is an important message not to be taken lightly.
The GIM students did this project as a way of giving back to society. This particular group was moved by the alarming increase in fatalities and decided to study black spots. They gave valuable suggestions, some of them which needed the involvement of the PWD.
There are three parts to an accident, the vehicle driver, and the vehicle and road infrastructure. We are all aware that as road users, Indians are pathetic about following rules. We jump signals, drive down the wrong side, stop anywhere, cross anywhere…. This surely has to change and with the new AI assisted traffic cameras we will take baby steps to better discipline. The ‘sentinel app ‘ was the best, as it was all pervasive. It should be revived. Hopefully better sense will prevail and it will be brought back.
The second is the vehicle and its condition. It is very easy to spot terribly maintained vehicles which are not road worthy but still plying on the roads. No lights, or worse just one head light, giving the impression it is a two wheeler and not a big truck, bald tyres, etc, and yet these are passed by the RTO.
No one bothers about tinted glasses or fancy number plates: all symptoms of a lax administration and chalta hai attitude.
The last is the road infrastructure. This is the responsibility of the PWD and they are never present at any accident site and no one seems to notice their absence. They were conspicuously absent at the GCCI panel discussion. It is another matter that roads are just another department, and anyone is promoted. No experience specifically in road engineering is required. Otherwise how will you justify a ‘zebra crossing ‘ painted through the middle of a junction? Did not a PWD inspector/engineer certify the contractors bill?
Talking of rumblers/speed breakers, is there no PWD standard? Why is each made in its own design, height, width of no consequence? So many accidents happen because of badly designed or installed speed breakers.
Whoever, approved the completed works for payment should be taken to task. Maybe then those signing, in future will take their job seriously.
Let us discuss the Gavon accident site. It is another matter that there were three people on the bike, it is not considered abnormal. But surely the insurance company will refuse to pay because riding conditions have been violated, this needs to be highlighted. Abroad, no one will take even one person over licensed capacity, because in case of an accident, the insurance company will refuse to pay. We have to be more aware of this fact here too.
The Gavon, Raia junction is a manmade black spot. The main road is not only sloping but also winding exactly at the intersection. The median markers stop for no reason, 25 meters before the actual junction on both sides. This makes the junction huge and even more complex, the traffic coming down from Ponda to Margao actually moves in a straight line while the road is curved, so they are for a moment on the wrong side, confusing pedestrians who feel they are safe in the imagined middle. There is no ‘zebra crossing ‘. On the same Ponda-Margao road, you will find ‘zebra crossings ‘ in all the wrong places. Someone has installed a convex mirror but it is too far across to be effective even though it is a good idea as traffic entering the highway and going right towards Margao, cannot see the traffic coming from Margao.
The engineer who cleared the file for payment must be taken to task, either he did not bother to check or it was not in the design. Both cases are dereliction of duty.
So at the Gavon junction, the PWD must get the contractor to complete the job of installing the median markers upto the correct point. Then, they can paint zebra crossing at the correct locations, the median area will act as a safe half way for pedestrians. Since the junction is wide, a small circle can be constructed and this is mainly to reinstall the convex mirror closer so as to negate the blind spot. Is this difficult or impossible to correct? Had someone showed pride in their work, so many lives would have been saved.
This is exactly what the GIM students pointed out and what needs to be done as soon as possible to save lives on the road. I do hope that the PWD Minister will instruct his team to rush to an accident blackspot and ensure that corrective action is taken to stop further loss of property and lives. In time they will do this at the initial design stage and not wait for a death to ensure a properly engineered road. Jai Hind.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
