CURCHOREM: The ongoing works of laying sewerage network and underground power cables have resulted in practically all the roads in this town being dug up thus increasing the occurrence of accidents and troubling the police.
This situation is putting a lot of pressure on the foot soldiers of the Traffic Police who are berated by their senior officials due to increase in accidents and also the motorists who shout at them to get the roads repaired first.
It is becoming very hazardous for motorists particularly two wheeler riders to navigate the roads at Medhegal, Soliya, Pontemol, Kamrai, Bansai Cacora and Bepquegal areas. Due to this many two wheeler riders are challaned by the police and Transport Department officials as they try to manoeuvre these tricky roads. In fact the road from Curchorem to Cacora has become practically impossible to travel on given the fact that trucks carrying ore traverse on it at fast speed.
“The government needs to prioritise restoration of the roads first as the work is going on endlessly with no end in sight,” complained Anjali Pires, one motorist.
It is common knowledge that the Traffic Cell police on the site are given targets by their senior officials in terms of amounts to be collected as fines and number of cases to be booked for violation of traffic rules.
However, the ground reality is such that motorists and particular two-wheeler riders are compelled to break traffic rules like going through the wrong side because the roads are dug and hence shout at the person fining them for it.
The motorists argue that the lawmakers should provide proper roads so that motorists do not break the law and point out that in the absence of proper roads, they are forced to break the law.
“It has become very difficult for senior citizens to use their two wheelers and many complain of back pains,” said Dr Gurudas Naik who practices in this town.
RTO officials are also forced to face people’s ire as they are questioned about action taken against those who have created bad roads like the digging and potholes.
“Give us proper roads first and then implement your laws,” said one irate motorist who also demanded that proper signboards be erected to caution motorists about the condition of the road.
Curchorem Traffic Cell PI Vijaynath Kavalekar admitted that there is an increase in accidents occurring everyday due to the condition of roads but pleaded helplessness as they have to act against those violating the rules.
“We do have to hear a lot of backlash from the people and quite many times we also look the other way when there are violations due to the poor conditions of the road,” he admitted.
