PONDA: Trucks are being parked haphazardly along the bypass roads at Dhavali-Farmagudi, Curti and Bethora in Ponda. The parked vehicles drastically reduce the width of the roads, severely affecting traffic and posing a threat to the lives of motorists. However, nobody seems to be bothered about the issue, despite many accidents.
Ponda locals are demanding that the panchayat and road transport authorities take action against such violations. They have even criticized the road authorities, especially the RTO and traffic police for issuing challans to locals, but ignoring the truck drivers who endanger people’s lives.
Alternately, the trucks have provided business to many locals, who have opened up gadaas, hotels and garages near the roads. Some locals also encourage haphazard parking by levelling their land near the roads. As there is no truck terminus, truckers, especially those from outside the State, park on either side of the bypass roads.
The three bypass roads fall under the jurisdiction of the panchayats of Curti-Khandepar, Kavlem, and Bethora. The locals in all three panchayats have raised the issue of haphazard parking several times at the gram sabha, but there has been no improvement in the situation.
Many locals have lost their lives in accidents at sharp turns on the bypass roads as the parked trucks obstructed their view of oncoming vehicles. A TV mechanic from Borim lost his life last year when a speeding truck rammed into his motorcycle. Recently, a truck accidentally drove over a conductor who was sleeping under it. Few months ago, a woman from Curti lost her leg in a truck-related accident; her four-year-old son managed to escape with minor injuries.
Due to growing number of industries, thousands of trucks are involved in transporting raw materials from neighbouring States to Goa and vice versa. However, there is no terminus for them to park. The truck drivers also cook food and defecate in the open, further inconveniencing the locals.
“On many occasions, we are unable to unload raw materials in the company’s premises because other trucks are offloading their cargo. As a result, we have no option but to wait for many days at nearby areas,” said a truck driver from a neighbouring State.
Kavlem sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar conceded that many trucks were parked haphazardly on the Dhavali-Farmagudi road. He said that the villagers have raised the issue at the gram sabha and that the panchayat had informed the transport authorities about the same. Expressing a need for a truck terminus, he stated that the panchayat was not getting any revenue to create parking facilities.
Curti panch Nagesh Naik stated, “Some locals are doing business through truck parking, but in the panchayat, we are pulled by villagers on the issue unnecessarily. The locals have been raising this issues several times, but we can’t take action as the transport officer has to act on the matter.”
When asked, Ponda Assistant Director of Tranport Kishore Lotlikar also stressed the need for a truck terminus in Ponda and said that it would solve the problem. He continued, “Our officers can issue challans to the tune of Rs 800 for haphazard parking. But many times, the truck drivers are not found at the spot, so we can’t issue challans. Further, challans are issued to trucks from neighbouring States, but they do not reply to the notices. We also have no cranes to lift vehicles and no locks to act against the truckers.
Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar also highlighted the need for a truck terminus for Ponda. He stated, “There is a need for a truck terminus at Ponda as it is at the centre of Goa and Goa is industrially growing. After searching lot, I have seen a site at Usgao and had proposed to set up a truck terminus there. In case of haphazard parking, traffic inspectors should conduct random checks and impose fine. This will send a clear message to other truckers and they will park their vehicles without obstructing the flow of traffic.”
