Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The Arpora-Nagoa gram sabha, held with limited attendance from villagers, brought to light pressing issues of illegal land filling in low-lying areas and an alarming increase in accidents involving tourist vehicles.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Addressing concerns, Sarpanch Roshan Redkar urged residents to report such incidents to the panchayat. “We will not permit any illegal land filling in Arpora. Anyone who witnesses such activities should lodge a complaint with us, enabling us to escalate the matter to the deputy collector,” Redkar affirmed.
Villagers also expressed serious apprehension regarding the surge in road accidents, many of which are attributed to speeding tourist vehicles. Notably, in January, a tragic hit-and-run incident occurred near Viegas supermarket. The driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, lost control of the vehicle, veered onto the wrong side of the Arpora-Nagoa road, and struck a two-wheeler. Amirul Haque, who was delivering chicken from Saligao to a restaurant, was killed instantly.
The same vehicle subsequently hit Sheela, a 54-year-old migrant fisherwoman walking along the roadside with a basket of fish, leaving her critically injured.
Panchayat members noted that many of the accidents are exacerbated by unmarked speed breakers. “We are collaborating with the relevant authorities to address the issue of unpainted speed humps, which pose a hazard to both motorists and pedestrians,” they stated.
