MARGAO: In 2023, a total of 88 individuals lost their lives in road accidents in South Goa, and a concerning trend emerged as half of the fatalities were riders on two-wheelers. Additionally, 138 accidents caused injuries to several people, with accident-prone areas identified as Ponda, Maina-Curtorim, Verna, Cuncolim, and Margao police station jurisdictions.
Comparing the data to the previous year, 92 fatalities and 162 accidents occurred in 2022 during the same period. The majority of fatal accidents in both years took place in Ponda, Maina-Curtorim, Verna, Cuncolim, and Margao, emphasizing the urgent need for attention and preventive measures.
Local resident Babuso Dessai highlighted the need for authorities to conduct surveys in accident-prone areas like Cuncolim, Maina Curtorim, Ponda, etc., to understand the causes and implement necessary infrastructure improvements.
In 2023, Verna recorded the highest fatalities with 15, followed by Ponda with 14, and Cuncolim with 13. Other areas affected included Maina Curtorim, Margao, Canacona, Vasco, Fatorda, Mormugao, Curchorem, Sanguem, Mardol, Collem, Quepem, and Colva.
Out of 138 other accidents, Ponda saw the highest with 24, followed by Verna (17), Fatorda (15), and Maina-Curtorim (19). Concerned residents like Kishor Naik called for immediate action to investigate the causes behind the rising accidents in specific areas of South Goa.
