Team Herald
MARGAO: Even as the chaotic traffic situation at the Arlem junction continues to plague commuters, the often-unmanned circle has also become accident-prone. The latest example was seen on Monday, when a car turned turtle onto the divider on the Raia side of the congested junction. The two occupants miraculously escaped with minor injuries.
Now, the authorities concerned are in a dilemma over who should control the movement of traffic here, and will have to deliberate over the functioning of the traffic signals at the spot. Locals claim that uncontrollable traffic congestion is witnessed at the site when the signals are functional. On the other hand, they also admit that accidents, like the one reported on Monday, could be prevented if the traffic signals were in operation.
The Maina-Curtorim police said the accident was reported at around 6.20 am, and involved two vehicles, including a car which turned turtle. Locals at the site immediately rushed to help the two occupants, and helped extract the driver who was still inside the car.
PI Gautam Salunke of the Traffic Cell, Margao, told O Herald that they cannot switch on the traffic signals at the junction as there are too many roads – at least eight lanes of traffic – meeting at one point.
“We need to find some other solution to the problem at Arlem junction. Traffic police are personally monitoring the traffic here. It has been noticed that there is major traffic chaos when traffic signals are in operation,” he added.
