PONDA: The residents and commuters of Ponda, have demanded that the Electricity Department replace the non-functional streetlights along the several stretches of three accident-prone bypass roads at Curti-Khandepar, Dhavali -Farmagudi and Bethora, along the National Highway at the earliest, to save precious lives.
The residents claimed that several stretches of three bypass roads plunge into darkness after sunset due to the non-functional streetlights which pose danger to commuters and pedestrians.
Rocky Dias from Ponda said due to defunct streetlights, several road stretches plunge into darkness. The work is progressing at Curti-Khandepar Highway, similarly on Bethora-Borim Bypass, but the defunct streetlights pose risk to motorists. At some places, wild animals cross, but with no proper corridor crossing and improper illumination increase the risk of accidents.
He said herds of stray cattle pose danger to motorists as these animals squat and wander freely along the highway. Recently, four cattle died and one was injured after a heavy vehicle rammed into them along the Dhavali-Farmagudi bypass. The speeding vehicles often fail to notice cattle due to the pitch dark conditions along the highway. The orange light at Khapaband-Kavlem junction and the street lights have turned non-functional posing risk to locals at this median gap.
