MARGAO: In response to the serious concerns raised by villagers and their frustrations regarding safety issues, concerned authorities visited the accident-prone area at the Bellem-Navelim junction. The authorities have committed to implementing immediate road safety measures, including repairing the non-functional traffic signals within the next eight days.
However, the absence of a representative from the local Navelim village panchayat during the site inspection, except for panch member Damodar Pashuram Chavan, has sparked anger among villagers. The local leaders have warned that if the non-functional traffic signals are not repaired within the stipulated eight-day period, they will take to the streets in protest.
During the inspection, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar was accompanied by Gautam Salunke, PI, Traffic Cell-Margao, along with local leaders George Barretto, Savio Coutinho, Pratima Coutinho, and several other residents.
Barretto stated that the villagers had considered destroying the defunct traffic signal poles, but the move was suspended due to the assurance provided by the MLA. He emphasised that if the authorities fail to fulfil their promises and repair the traffic signals or implement proper road safety measures, the villagers are prepared to take more assertive actions.
Acknowledging the non-functional traffic signals that have contributed to numerous accidents in recent months, MLA Ulhas Tuenkar confirmed that the authorities have committed to repairing the signals within the next eight days. “Being a major traffic junction, we have requested traffic police to be deployed at the site. I will also warn the authorities that I will also stand with the people, if they choose to protest on the roads, demanding safety measures,” said the MLA.
Adv Pratima Coutinho criticised the authorities for using excuses like the unavailability of technicians to repair the traffic signals. “Not only the people of Navelim, but the general public and motorists from other places crossing this junction are suffering because of the negligence of the government authorities. Our request is that even local panchayats can take some initiative on the issue, which they have failed to do till date,” alleged Coutinho.