Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has written to the South Goa Collector Asvin Chandru A, IAS on the need to ensure that proper safety signage is displayed at road works undertaken by National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) contractor on the highway stretch from MES College junction to Dabolim airport.
It may be noted that GOACAN received a complaint that the road works undertaken by the NHAI contractor on the Highway stretch from MES College junction to Dabolim international airport had inadequate signage from the point of road safety and traffic management.
GOACAN cited innumerable complaints from the public about insufficient signage, which could pose a risk to commuters and its Co-ordinator called for immediate action to improve road safety at the site.
Following a site inspection at the MES College junction, GOACAN noted that there were no boards displaying project details including nature of works, contractor’s name, contact details and the project timeline.
There was no advance warning at 100 metres that the two lanes will become a single lane so that drivers and riders are cautioned in advance so as to reduce speed. “ Signboards with messages like ‘Road Closed’ and ‘Take Diversion’ were placed in marked barrels with no idea as to who placed them,” stated GOACAN.
“The signage displayed is only in 'English', although on the National Highway the signage has also to be displayed in 'Hindi' and 'Konkani'. There were no warning lights installed at diversion to alert motorists at nights.”
GOACAN in its letter has expressed its concern and has pointed out that "on this stretch of the highway one can see the drivers and riders driving at high speed and therefore it is important in the interest of road safety and traffic management that proper safety signage is installed at the site which must be as per the MoRTH and IRC guidelines. In the backdrop of the recent increase in fatalities in road accidents in the State, it is important to deal with this matter with utmost urgency."
Copies of the GOACAN letter have been sent to the Secretary (Transport), SP South, DySP (Traffic South), Additional Director of Transport South and the Director of Consumer Affairs.