PERNEM: The stretch of National Highway 66 from Patradevi to Dhargalim in Pernem has turned into a death trap due to the pathetic condition of roads, absence of sign/direction boards and lack of proper illumination.

The alarming situation was highlighted once again when a family had a lucky escape after their vehicle encountered a pile of mud at Malpe, causing it to go round and round before catching fire.

Thankfully, the occupants, including two children, managed to escape with minor injuries before the car was engulfed in flames. The car owned by Sahil Shetty was damaged in no time. The incident raised concerns about the safety of vehicles equipped with CNG, as it is suspected that the fuel may have played a role in the fire.

The lack of adequate infrastructure and maintenance has led to a surge in accidents on both NH 66 and the adjacent service road.

Residents and commuters have been demanding immediate attention from authorities to address the issues since accidents take place here nearly every day.