Team Herald
MARGAO: Salcete taluka, which encompasses five police stations covering prominent villages and a coastal belt, witnessed 339 accidents between January and July 2024. These accidents resulted in 41 fatalities. The highest number of accidents—100—occurred within the jurisdiction of the Maina-Curtorim Police Station, with 10 people losing their lives.
Cuncolim Police Station saw 72 accidents, also resulting in 10 deaths. Margao Police Station recorded 55 accidents and 6 fatalities, while Colva had 47 accidents with seven fatalities. In Fatorda, 65 accidents were reported, resulting in eight deaths.
Comparatively, during the first seven months of 2023, 348
accidents occurred in Salcete, claiming 38 lives.
Again, Maina-Curtorim had the highest count of 122 accidents, resulting in 13 deaths, while Cuncolim had 75 accidents and 8 fatalities. Fatorda reported 62 accidents with four fatalities, Margao had 44 accidents resulting in 10 deaths, and Colva witnessed 45 accidents with three fatalities.
Concerns have been raised regarding the rising number of accidents in Margao. This year, 55 accidents took place in the city, killing six people, compared to 44 accidents and 10 fatalities during the same period in 2023. “The town is congested; vehicles park poorly, obstructing traffic and pedestrians, while many buildings have also encroached upon the roads. The police only book cases and challan people under the MV Act, which has in no way reduced the number of accidents,” said Tulsidar Raiker of Malbhat, Margao.
Social worker Mahesh Naik pointed out that many accidents could be prevented with better safety awareness and infrastructure. “Over speeding and rash driving are the most unforgivable causes for the rising number of road accidents,” he said. Sandeep Pednekar, a concerned citizen, added that drunken driving, rule violations, pedestrian carelessness, and fatigue also play significant roles in the high accident rate.