Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Logistics Committee met South Goa Collector Asvin Chandru, IAS, and discussed issues concerning road safety in South Goa district such as the ongoing flyover construction work from Verna to Dabolim, garbage dumping along roads, lack of truck terminus and parking of rent-a-car and rent-a-bike in public spaces.
GCCI team comprising Logistics Committee chair Chandrakant Gawas, Director General of GCCI Sanjay Amonkar and Sanket Kaskar informed the Collector that these concerns are increasingly affecting commuters and residents, and believed that with his office’s intervention, effective solutions can be implemented.
The issues discussed were ongoing construction work of flyover from Verna to Dabolim Airport which has led to the closure of several sections of the existing road without proper planning. This has resulted in frequent traffic jams and an increased risk of accidents.
The team requested the Collector to direct the authorities concerned to address this issue and take immediate steps to improve traffic management during the construction period. Deploying traffic police 24x7 at sensitive spots could significantly help regulate the traffic flow and ensure road safety, it said.
The team discussed stray cattle menace on roads thereby posing a major safety hazard and were a frequent cause of road accidents. It was suggested that the government establish Goshalas (cattle shelters) in every taluka to ensure that these animals are properly cared for, thus reducing their presence on the roads. This initiative would not only address the road safety concerns, but also contribute to animal welfare and also consider issues of the cattle owners to mitigate the problem.
The team stated that despite existing guidelines, garbage continues to be dumped indiscriminately along roadsides, especially in areas near the Dabolim Airport. This poses a serious risk as birds attracted to the garbage could endanger aircraft during take-off and landing. The GCCI urged immediate action to enforce penalties on violators and ensure strict compliance with waste management regulations to prevent such dumping.
The lack of proper parking spaces, particularly for heavy vehicles, is contributing to accidents. Trucks are often parked on roadsides due to the unavailability of truck terminus. This is observed on the airport to Titan Road. GCCI strongly recommended the provision of dedicated truck terminus with necessary amenities be made. Such facilities will significantly reduce road congestion and the risk of accidents, the GCCI said.
The GCCI pointed out that rent-a-car and rent-a-bike are parked in public parking space for days together when not on rent. This deprives general public from parking their vehicles.
The Collector told them that action had already been initiated in this regard and flying squads are being deployed.
Suggesting strict rules for rent a car and bikes, the GCCI stated that tourists coming to Goa hire cars and two-wheelers to traverse. Some of these tourists have minimal driving experience. Also there are seen navigating using Google Maps taking sudden turns which can lead to accidents. It suggested that a minimum driving experience mandate be given and proper signages be erected and to make them more prominent and visible.