Dandevaddo, located on the western flank on Highway NH-17 is a ward of the village Chinchinim, whose very narrow road abuts on to the National Highway. The entry point is a junction of five roads viz Dandevaddo, Sarzora, Mingfoll, Margao and Cuncolim and vice versa.
Still a little ahead is the Sarzora Church road, lately named as Fr Pesentaçào Furtado Road. The junction has become the scene of countless accidents. Some have even lost their lives at this junction. How many lives of the innocent travellers does it take to open our eyes?
The crux of the problem: Rumblers (speed breakers) are installed on either side of the junction, due to the persistent and diligent efforts of retired professor Nelson Lopes, a resident of Dandevaddo, whose residence is very close to the edge of the highway. However, the height of the rumblers is very shallow and the vehicles pass over them at high speed as though they are non-existent. Here, there are no warning signboards to slow down when you approach the rumblers (speed breakers).
Solutions suggested: A site inspection and survey was carried out by the authorities and traffic signals were suggested at a cost of Rs 4.5 lakh, thus far no steps are taken to install them. In Goa, they are notorious for their non-functionality. In the meantime, speed limits need to be specified (maybe 30 Kms per hour), when you approach the intersection and install camera traps, actuated by radar, as was done on Zuari Bridge during late Manohar Parrikar’s administration. This system is very common in Singapore.
Install large signboard or red flashing light, to warn there is a speed breaker approaching. Install Zebra Crossings for the senior citizens and handicapped persons to cross. Either side of the road, install a timer switch (say 30 seconds) to be pressed by the pedestrian which makes the main road signal go red for 30 seconds to enable to cross to the other side safely.
Increase the height of the rumblers reasonably so that the vehicles actually slow down and noise and vibration are reduced in the vicinity. To prevent mishaps, requesting the concerned authorities to take quick steps.
