SIDRA KHAN
The Redeghat stretch on the Valpoi Panjim State highway in Sattari has emerged as one of the most acci dent-prone zones in the region, with repeated fatal accidents and sev eral cases of vehicles plunging into the gorge over the past year trig gering growing public concern and demands for urgent road safety measures. The approximately two-km ghat section at Redeghat, known for its sharp and dangerous curves, has witnessed a series of serious acci dents in recent months.
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Locals and motorists allege that the absence of metal beam crash barriers, poor visibility, and narrow culvert sections have made the stretch extremely hazardous, es pecially during night hours and the monsoon season. In 2025 alone, two fatal accidents were reported on this stretch. In March 2025, a 20-year-old youth died on the spot following a collision between two scooters. In another tragic incident in June 2025, a 40-year-old wom an employed as a security guard lost her life after a truck rammed into the scooter on which she was travelling as a pillion rider. Apart from fatal mishaps, at least five incidents of vehi cles plunging into the valley have been reported within a span of about one year. In April 2025, a car veered off the road into a gorge, while in September 2025 both a jeep and a container truck met with similar accidents. In Janu ary 2026, a car plunged nearly 10 metres down the gorge after skidding off the road. More recently, in April 2026, a car also veered off the road and fell around eight metres into the valley. Though the vehicles were badly damaged in these incidents, the occupants miraculously escaped with minor injuries. A major multi-vehicle accident was also reported at Re deghat in April 2026. According to sources, a car stopped abruptly to allow a snake to cross the road, following which a motorcycle coming from behind rammed into the vehicle. Moments later, a truck also collided with the mo torcycle, leaving the rider seriously injured. Former chairperson of the Valpoi Municipal Council, Umesh Gulelkar, expressed serious concern over the in creasing accidents on the stretch. Speaking to O Heraldo, Gulelkar pointed out that there are at least eight to 10 dangerous sharp turns within the two-km stretch. “The authorities concerned must strictly enforce speed limits in this area. Installing strong crash barriers along the outer edges of these dangerous curves will definitely help prevent vehicles from plunging into the valley,” Gule lkar said. Civil engineer Asif Shaikh, who frequently uses the road for work, highlighted structural concerns regarding the roadway. He noted that many of the sharp curves are lo cated over culverts, making the road narrower and more risky for motorists. “The culvert structures need to be extended and the road widened for safety purposes. Many accidents occur because vehicles struggle to negotiate these sharp turns safely,” Asif said. Prominent advocate and social activist Adv Shivaji Y Dessai stated that maintaining safe roads is a legal and constitutional obligation of the government. “Road maintenance is directly linked to the citizens’ fundamental rights. Roads play a vital role in connectivity and daily life. Safe and well-maintained roads are essen tial not only for travel but also for economic, social, and educational development. Roads are life, and the author ities must prioritise improving this dangerous stretch to ensure public safety,” Adv Dessai said. Meanwhile, motorists who regularly travel through Re deghat, particularly during night hours, have demanded installation of streetlights along the entire stretch. Accord ing to them, better lighting would improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents, especially during the mon soon season when sudden uprooting of trees and poor weather conditions often create additional hazards. Residents and commuters have now urged the authori ties concerned to immediately undertake comprehensive safety measures including installation of crash barriers, widening of culvert sections, proper signage, speed regu lation, and street lighting before more lives are lost on the Redeghat stretch
