Team Herald
PONDA: After six long years, the hotmix carpeting of the dug-up road at Daag-Ponda is finally complete. But locals are raising concerns about the lack of proper footpaths for the safety of pedestrians.
While the road has been widened, it seems that authorities failed to take into account the safety of those on foot.
Ponda residents have pointed out that local residents often take walks along the road for morning and evening exercise, and the absence of footpaths and even mud shoulders means they are forced to walk in the middle of the road, and in harm’s way.
Even worse, the lack of safety measures on the Daag Culvert for pedestrians is causing alarm. Dilip Naik, convenor of the Goa Road Safety Forum, has warned that pedestrians are at risk of being hit by speeding vehicles. He added that if roads are widened and smoothened, vehicles are bound to speed up. “Without proper provision of footpaths for pedestrians, there are bound to be accidents here,” he said.
Locals are worried that the situation will worsen as Ponda already lacks sufficient walking tracks. Naik is currently studying the matter and plans to write to authorities to request action, and ensure the safety of pedestrians.
In Ponda town, footpath facilities for pedestrians can be seen in a few places, including in Munipcalty areas and some stretches of Tisk-Ponda. However, in the absence of proper footpaths, pedestrians are forced to walk in the middle of the road, as roadside parking is also commonplace.
