On Tuesday morning we were driving on NH 17 from Merces to Karwar and we returned in the evening by the same route. Some things that we observed on our roadways are worth contemplating.
Seeing cattle on our roads is not a novelty for us anymore and the cattle has been roaming on the highways and the village roads alike. However it appears that there is a sudden spurt in the cattle for we had not witnessed such herd of cows, bulls and calves in the past. It looks as though the ban on cow slaughter in the neighboring states has diverted these bovines across the borders to Goa. And with greenery all around, with the onset of monsoons, these animals are having a great time but to the predicament of the drivers and riders simply struggling to manoeuvre on the already congested pathetic roads.
Can there not be any solution to this malady? In the past people have suggested that impounding of the stray cattle should be effected to contain this menace. Will it ever see the light of the day or it would be ignored giving an opportunity for the cow worshippers to venerate the animal on the roads?
The other dangerous sight on the highway was the rash and negligent driving of the 2-wheelers, driving without helmet at breakneck speeds, at times even three persons being packed on the vehicle. Just a couple of months ago wearing of helmets was made mandatory on all the roads of Goa. Is it being monitored by the authorities on regular basis? We wonder whether the rule is in force or withdrawn after the quota of helmets was sold out as it used to be in the past.
Just the other day a cop attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion driving without helmet died in the road accident on Ribander-Panaji causeway. It is unfortunate that people who should lead by example prefer to choose the wrong path. Whenever there are accidents there are loud cries to have speed-breakers but is anyone bothered about painting them prominently?
Unnoticeable speed-breakers are also causes of accidents on the roads but persistent pleadings to paint them regularly have also gone on deaf years.
Simply lamenting after every accident is fruitless. The authorities need to view the situation of rising road accidents very seriously.
