Team Herald
PANJIM: With 1,824 accidents in Goa in the last nine months, the accidents on Goan roads have put the State on tenterhooks. Seven deaths were reported in last 72 hours, which has taken the tally of fatalities to 197 in a matter of six months.
Blood surely flows like water on Goan roads due to accidents. But so does buck passing and blame game
State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said “50 per cent of recommendations have been fulfilled. However, for some external things like road conditions, you should ask the Public Works Department (PWD) Chief Engineer on what he and his engineers are doing. It is his responsibility,” he said.
Goa Pradesh Congress President Amit Patkar said that the Government has still not rectified the black spots.
“I openly challenge the Chief Minister to show how many roads have been destroyed during the Defect Liability Period. They have rewarded the contractors who have created bad road infrastructure,” he said.
“One Goan dies in a road accident every 31 hours. This is a complete collapse of administration,” Patkar said.
On Saturday, two young women died in an accident at Mandrem. On the same day, two youths died in an accident at Nanoda, Bicholim. On Monday, one driver was killed in a hit-and-run case at Virnoda Pernem and the third young woman who was riding on the scooter at Mandrem and was seriously injured, succumbed in GMC.
The seventh deceased was a woman who died at Upasnagar, Sancoale after her scooter was hit by a bus.
An accident in Curchorem between two 2-wheelers grievously injured one of the riders. Reports suggest that the accident occurred when he was trying to dodge a manhole that was protruding out of the road.
OHeraldo has highlighted in the past how many departments have dug up roads across the lengths and breadths of Goa, but have failed to patch them up or repair them to make them travel-worthy.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao said, “The number of road accidents in Goa is horrifying. In the last 69 months, 16,346 accidents have been reported, in which 953 persons have lost their lives.”
“Goa Chief Minister has failed to reduce road accidents. There is a need for a road safety management plan to save lives. I request the government to identify hotspots, faulty road designs, and potholes,” he said.
“I last nine months 1,824 accidents have been reported and 197 people have succumbed to injuries,” he said.
Savio D'silva from Velim said how an accident victim had to suffer due to a broken system.
“An accident patient from Velim was sent to Balli PHC, who was then referred to South Goa District Hospital (SGDH), later shifted to Goa Medical College (GMC) and again referred back to SGDH,” D'Silva said.