PIL alleges safety lapses along elevated corridor work stretch

PANAJI

While the works of elevated corridor works continue to cause inconvenience to commuters, Advocate Moses Pinto alleged serious road safety violations along the construction stretch between Porvorim and Guirim.

Petitioner Advocate Moses Pinto, appearing in person before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, submitted a field inspection report alleging serious road safety violations along the construction stretch.

The report, filed in the ongoing Public Interest Litigation, stated that the authorities and contractors have disregarded earlier High Court directions to ensure safe commuting conditions during construction.

“This continuing disregard of court-mandated protocols places commuters in foreseeable, life-threatening danger. Public Safety Risks: Falling sparks, slag, tools or debris; panic braking or swerving from sudden falling sparks; collision with collapsed barricade or metal projection; two-wheeler imbalance due to uneven unpaved surface; Dust inhalation and visibility reduction; and no secure escape path in the event of sudden hazard,” the report mentioned.

Pinto recorded and photographed conditions along the construction route on October 17 and attached the material to his latest submission.  

He further alleged these conditions violate Article 21 (Right to Life) and constitute non-compliance with the High Court’s earlier order of December 18, 2024, which had mandated safe lane management, barricading, illumination and pedestrian protection along the project corridor.

In several locations, the petitioner claimed, welding and elevated slab installation were underway directly above moving traffic without safety nets or controlled diversions. At other points, cranes and rollers were stationed against traffic flow without reflective barricades. The photographs also depicted dust clouds rising from loose soil, reduced night visibility and two-wheelers navigating uneven surfaces.

He has urged the High Court to direct immediate corrective measures, including continuous crash-rated barricading, traffic wardens during peak hours, dust suppression, night illumination, overhead hazard shielding, and safe pedestrian and two-wheeler corridors.

“Immediate halting of overhead work during live traffic. Prevent falling material hazards. Install rigid crash-rated barricades. Protect road users from drop zones. Deploy trained traffic marshals & signalling system. Maintain orderly, safe traffic flow. Provide protective netting and debris screens. Ensure no falling sparks/objects. Night-hazard lights and reflector boards. Enhance visibility and reaction time. Complete base asphalting of the temporary lane. Prevent skidding and instability. Pre-work public advisory & real-time alerts. Ensure informed and safe commuting,” some of the recommendations followed.