The final clearance by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for the diversion of forest land around the Karmalghat highway paves the way for the widening of the accident-prone zone. However, questions linger whether a piecemeal expansion is a compromise that overlooks the dangers at the site. The approval is for the widening of the existing NH66 highway by around 23 km and not for the 4-lane widening plan, a matter which is before the high court.
The Karmalghat section of the highway holds notoriety for accidents snatching away lives and leaving many grievously injured. It is due to the peculiar nature of the terrain, the sharp curvatures, and an uneven gradient that leaves vehicular traffic in precarious situations. Ironically, the stretch of road has been nicknamed ‘Mornaghat’ (Deathghat) because of the series of accidents that have taken place there.
Accidents of the past have been gruesome, mostly leading to deaths. Loaded trucks have been crashing off the barriers while negotiating the turns, tourists and locals engaging in frequent accidents leading to fatalities. The recent mishap was barely a few months ago when a Mumbai tourist died after crashing against a truck and landing his car into a 10-metre-deep ravine with four other occupants. While the PWD has done piecemeal barricading, it has failed to resolve the issue because of the narrow roads.
The decision to widen the roads could bring in marginal relief since portions along the killer route restrict expansion, which may not resolve the issue at hand. Hence, governments must look at the problem holistically by keeping the inherent dangers of life in mind and evaluating the options at hand.
A highway widening is preferred over a 4-lane road because it saves large-scale environmental destruction since thousands of trees would face the axe. Interestingly, a proposal to build a 1.45 km tunnel, which appears to be the best option, has not found favour with the Centre because of the costs. Here is a classic case where a choice had to be made between saving lives and the environment or saving costs. Sadly, a comprise mid-path has been chosen that does not entirely fulfil the objective.
While Goa is undergoing an infrastructural upgrade with high-rise structures and signature bridges compared to the Eiffel Tower and other International landmarks involving massive money for the sheer aesthetics and grandeur, here is a case where an extra spend becomes a burden, that too when it is towards securing lives and environment. We find a similar case with the much-spoken bypass on stilts in Salcete that has been declined, although there is grave danger of flooding low-lying areas of Benaulim and Seraulim, thereby bringing about perennial damage to fields.
The floods in Assam and Sikkim are testimonies that we must conserve the environment and respect nature before nature unleashes its fury. Brazen cutting of trees to create infrastructure may not bode well for the future, and Goa could face the brunt soon. The State has already been a witness to flooding in patches.
It’s time governments rethink strategies and invest sensibly, keeping in mind the welfare of citizens and valuing the rich biodiversity and natural resources that the State possesses in its ghats and hilly terrains. Steer away from showmanship.
