PONDA: Two decades ago, Dhavali–Farmagudi bypass was constructed for proceeding from Farmagudi to Margao by avoiding traffic congestion in Ponda town. However, this bypass road with sharp turns always remained accident-prone and many have lost their lives on the bypass.
Despite the sharp turns, vehicles proceeding on the highway move at high speed and hence there is a need for traffic signals to prevent accidents. The GVM circle also gained notoriety as a killer circle as vehicles proceeding towards Margao while negotiating the circle have often met with accidents with many fatalities. Many of the victims have been two-wheeler riders.
Four years ago, the bypass was widened into a four-lane highway, but no improvements were done on the sharp turns. So vehicles continue to go out of control and meet with accidents.
Three years ago, a crane driver lost control of his vehicle and fell off the flyover at Bandora underpass and died on the spot.
Besides GVM college Circle, the sharp turns on the steep slope are an equally dangerous accident-prone zone on the Dhavali-Farmagudi road. Khadpaband-Kavlem junction has also claimed many lives in accidents. Locals stressed the need for improvement of this road to prevent growing accidents, including fatal accidents.
Traffic jams have been witnessed on Dhavali–Farmagudi road as heavy vehicles including container trucks while proceeding on the Farmagudi slope lost control on the sharp turn, crossing the divider into the opposite lane thereby blocking traffic the on four-lane Dhavali-Farmagudi road.
According to a local Rajesh Naik, the Farmagudi slope is difficult to negotiate due to sharp turns, and earlier several accidents have occurred, including fatal accidents.
According to Goa Road Safety Forum President Dilip Naik due to sharp curves the road is accident prone and needs improvement and wherever possible the curves should be straightened to minimise accidents. He said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is observing National Road Safety Month from January 15 to February 14, 2024 to create awareness among the general public about road safety, promote safe and responsible road use and ultimately reducing road accidents, deaths and injuries.
Naik said he has even directed traffic officials to inspect the blind spots and put in place measures to improve roads. He said delegated officers will conduct physical visits to all accident spots reported on highways and suggest measures to improve all the accident spots.
