TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CORTALIM: A day after Cortalim MLA and Environment and Forest Minister Alina Saldanha assured the agitated residents of Cortalim that she would take steps to paint the existing speed breakers, authorities on Friday began marking the speed breakers with a coat of white paint.
The speed breakers have turned into a death trap with many unsuspecting motorists falling victims to the unmarked roll on the road, resulting in many serious injuries. In fact, these badly designed road bumps can be seen in many places in the State.
According to sources, the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines on speed-breaker design are not followed in the State. There are parameters set for the width and height of the speed breakers which even the traffic cell of Goa Police are either ignorant or are not interested in implementing. If proper procedure had been followed, perhaps it could have drastically reduced accidents caused by these speed breakers, the source added.
Meanwhile, in another decision which will come as a relief to the residents, the police have begun manning the highway near the Cortalim Cross during rush hours. However, some people have demanded that the traffic cops take over the job of regulating the traffic since the cops disappear after manning the traffic for a few days.
Saldanha had also assured the villagers that necessary steps would be taken to stop heavy vehicles plying along the Thana-Loutolim road which saw a minor girl coming under the wheels of a tanker.
Meanwhile, PWD Junior Engineer Marcus D’Costa informed that he had already started the work of marking the speed breakers after the accidents last month. He said that other speed breakers would also be painted.
