MARGAO: The residents of Navelim have issued a stern warning to authorities, threatening to remove the ‘useless’ traffic signal poles at Bellem-Navelim junction, expressing their frustration with repeated accidents caused by non-functional traffic lights at the junction.
These concerns arose following a recent accident that left one motorist seriously injured on Wednesday.
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Citizens have further alleged that inadequate traffic signage at the junction has led to significant confusion among motorists. The location, identified as a major accident-prone Western Bypass junction, has witnessed a series of unfortunate incidents, prompting the community’s outcry.
The traffic signals at the junction were recently installed with a function presided over by Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar. However, these signals stopped functioning within a few months of their installation, exacerbating the safety issues at the junction.
Gautam Salunke, PI of the Traffic Cell, Margao, confirmed that his department has taken proactive measures by writing to the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding the non-functional signals.
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s accident, locals swiftly congregated at the site, expressing their frustration with the negligence exhibited by the authorities. George Barretto, a local leader, spoke to reporters, asserting that if the non-functional traffic signals are not swiftly repaired, citizens will take matters into their own hands by removing the signal poles.
Barretto questioned the authorities’ rationale behind erecting non-functional signals, which have contributed to a pattern of accidents and have, tragically, resulted in deaths and injuries among motorists. He voiced the community’s dwindling patience with the situation.
An eye-witness to the recent accident, recounted the incident and conveyed her anger towards the authorities for their lack of accountability in maintaining safety at this accident-prone site.
“We have been told that there are some issues between those who installed the signals and the PWD, resulting in the signals remaining non-functional. We too are helpless in the matter,” the PI told O Heraldo.
