CANACONA: The stretch of National Highway passing through Canacona is notoriously known for the shrill and thrill of driving and has witnessed fatal accidents in the past.
And the unwarranted stoppage of vehicles on the middle of the newly constructed 4-lane Manohar Parrikar bridge at Mashem in order to click selfies and pictures has added to the notoriety further, warn concerned locals here.
Canacona taluka, which abounds in magnificent forests on the eastern side and the ever enchanting coastline to the west, offers some breathtaking spots so much so there are many commuters who stop their vehicle on the 7.4 km sea sea-side link to take pictures.
However, this trend has raised an alarm amongst the locals due to the sheer number of vehicles, both two-wheelers and four-wheelers that stop for the same, thereby creating hazardous situations for others. The breathtaking view of the sunset over the ocean at Sai Sunset Point at Mashem has in fact thrown a challenge, which the authorities have to identify and act swiftly before any accident takes some breath away, say locals from here.
“It’s high time the PWD erects a few signboards on both sides of the new bypass road discouraging motorists from parking their motor vehicles on the road”, advised former panch of Mashem Santan Xavier Da Costa.
“It is also important for the road laws enforcement authorities to educate those erring motorists on the possible consequences of parking on the bridge,” added Da Costa.
“We have requested the Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes to do the needful in this regard before tragedy strikes”, informed a local of Galgibaga.
The MLA when contacted said he is aware of the danger this activity is posing and has already informed police to be strict on such erring drivers. He added that he has directed the PWD to erect signboards at the places where people halt their vehicles specifically on the Mashem bridge, he informed.
