Team Herald
CANACONA: With Manohar Parrikar Sea-side link passing through breathtaking views of three rivers and the Arabian sea in close proximity, most of the trigger happy shutterbugs passing over this link stop at unwarranted points putting the lives of the commuters, including their own, in danger.
The 7.74 km sea-side road from Char Rasta to Mashem on NH66 in Canacona after commissioning in November last year has been another attraction in the taluka apart from the exotic beaches and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.
Most part of the link being parallel to the Arabian Sea from Mashem to Rajbagh, it throws some breathtaking views specially during the sunset.
Unable to resist the temptation of witnessing the irresistible view of the sun going down over the horizon, most of the commuters passing over the link at sunset halt their vehicles on the road itself oblivious that their action may be perilous to someone.
The more famous location for the sunset view is the Galgibaga-Mashem bridge on the side of Mashem, and Talpona bridge, mostly two and four-wheelers are seen parked on one of the lanes of the four-lane bridge creating a dangerous situation for the other road users, locals here allege.
After keeping their vehicles recklessly blocking major part of the lane, the occupants wait with their Android devices in hand to take selfies with the setting sun at the background, the locals say.
Taking selfies by creating a dangerous situation on the expressway is not acceptable as in case of a major accident, human lives can be lost and the bridge might also suffer damage, local residents say.
Local residents also complain the highway patrol doesn’t bother to put a stop to such a nuisance.
Most of the time the Highway Patrol car is seen at Char Rasta to help their counterparts in issuing challans, locals complain.
With the situation sometimes going out of hand, locals are demanding signboards on both the sides of the entire 7.74km four-lane linking Char Rasta to Mashem warning drivers of action if they create dangerous situation by stopping their vehicles on the road.
