PONDA: The recent removal of large concrete road dividers from the newly widened four-lane Bethora-Borim road has sparked safety concerns among locals, as the road has not been restored. The decision to remove the dividers followed a fatal accident involving a Vasco-based youth, which exposed the potential hazards posed by the large dividers.
Locals are now worried about the furrows left in the middle of the road after the dividers were removed. These trenches pose a risk to vehicles, particularly if a tire gets caught, causing the vehicle to skid. For the safety of commuters, residents are demanding the installation of smaller dividers, similar to those on other bypasses in Ponda.
Umesh Naik, a regular commuter on this road, highlighted the danger, recounting the tragic accident last month where a youth lost his life and a pillion rider was seriously injured after their bike collided with a car near the road divider. The concrete blocks, now dumped by the roadside, pose an additional risk of accidents.
Khandepar local Sandeep Parkar welcomed the removal of the large dividers, noting their danger, especially on sharp turns. “If a bike were to skid or lose control, hitting the large concrete dividers could result in a fatal accident,” he warned. “Normal-sized dividers should be installed to cover the trenches in the middle of the road and ensure safer passage for all commuters,” Parkar suggested.
